3 Radiator Service Tips!

Along with the beautiful flowers of Spring come thoughts of spring cleaning--including your car or truck! A good place to start is with a needed radiator service. Don't let yourself get stranded on the side of the road on a hot summer day with an engine that is overheating--and a costly radiator repair bill! Schedule a radiator service with a trusted mechanic before a problem actually develops.

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Keep your vehicle's cooling system operating at peak efficiency with three radiator service tips:

Before starting the engine: Check the level of the coolant/antifreeze.With the engine cold, remove the cap from the radiator and look inside. You should be able to see the fluid. If you see any leaking on the ground or in the engine compartment, and you have to add more than a pint, schedule a radiator service to have the cooling system pressure tested.

• If your engine is overheating (and if there is no visible leak and the fluid level is correct), pay attention to "when" it overheats. This will give your mechanic a good idea as to the possible cause for the appropriate radiator repair.

When the engine is idling: Make sure the air conditioner cooling fan is operating.

• The air conditioner compressor requires a cooling fan to operate as long as the compressor is on.
• The cooling fan prevents the engine from overheating, especially at idle or low speeds.

While the engine is running at driving speed: Make sure the coolant/anti-freeze is circulating properly.

• Airflow and coolant circulation are crucial at 55 MPH. The water pump should be pumping a large amount of coolant/antifreeze throughout the cooling system.
• If overheating is occurring at normal driving speeds, the airflow and coolant circulation could be restricted by a kinked radiator hose, a restricted radiator, or a stuck thermostat.

Don't put off a radiator repair for an overheating problem. Taking care of it early on can prevent major engine damage from occurring.

Need to add radiator service to your summer planning list? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Wentland Diesel Service by calling 541-938-3875 or go on-line at http://www.wentlanddiesel.com/ for more information. Our auto shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

Exhaust System: The Muffler Tells All!

Is your car starting to perform poorly or loud noises coming from the muffler? Are you worried about the exhaust fumes polluting the air? These are common problems of a leaking exhaust system.

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Here are three main signs to look for indicating your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system;

• The "check engine" light stays illuminated;
• The engine runs and idles rough; and
• Loud noises coming from the muffler.

You may be able to check your exhaust system yourself to determine if there is a leak, and pinpoint the location and source. Here are some tips that may save you valuable time and money: 

• First, make sure the car is cool while you look under the hood. Because metal expands as it heats up, small leaks will get even smaller, making them difficult to detect.
• Remove the plastic engine cover to inspect the exhaust manifold for cracking or warping. This problem is quite common, especially with older cars.
• Check the gaskets for cracking, another common cause of leaks. You may feel hot air escaping as well as a strong smell of fumes. In older cars, the gasket connecting the manifold to the cylinder head can crack just with everyday wear and tear.
• Check the muffler for rust--whether it is just surface, or if it goes all the way through the metal. Areas weakened by rust often cause leaks.
• Temporarily cover the muffler to force the exhaust through any leaks. Start at the engine and follow the exhaust system all the way to the end, feeling for hot air escaping through the pipe, especially at the connectors, common areas of leaks. The muffler will get hot, so be careful not to touch it.

Following your own inspection, or if you're not comfortable conducting these tests yourself, be sure to have your mechanic take a look. Most auto shops will run these tests free of charge and then be able to recommend the appropriate repair.

Need an inspection of your exhaust system? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Wentland Diesel Service by calling 541-938-3875 or go on-line at http://www.wentlanddiesel.com/ for more information. Our auto shop provides truck and car repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.