611 Radiator Fan Failure

[Narkis Eatman]

Themost common cause of radiator leaks is leaky hoses, but you can have leaks in the radiator itself, too, which can be a bigger problem. The coolant continually running from your radiator to your hot, running engine and back again creates a lot of pressure. That pressure buildup will eventually spell doom for your radiator hoses.

If your car is running too hot, check your radiator for rust. It should be easy to see on the outside, but you can also tell if the color of your coolant becomes brownish. If you operate your car in cold weather climates, you should be especially vigilant for rust.

Solution: Once again, a good coolant flush is the answer. Just as flushing the coolant can get rid of rust, it can clear all that gunk out of your system as well. Hy-per Cool Radiator Cleaner & Super Flush cleans the entire coolant system, removes coolant gel and deposits, and helps prevent the formulation of scales & Deposits. Be sure to flush, rather than just drain and replace the coolant, because draining will not get all the gunk out of the system, and you will have to deal with the problem all over again as it contaminates your new coolant.

Remember, your radiator is just one part of an interconnected coolant system, and all of the parts of that system need to be working properly to keep your engine cool. If the thermostat goes down, the system will not know when to release fluid into the radiator, and if the water pump fails, the system will not have the pressure necessary to circulate the coolant. If either of these things happens, the radiator will not work as designed.

An overheated radiator or engine is the typical result of any problem with the cooling system. However, if you find yourself in a situation where the temperature gauge spikes when you are sitting in traffic or idling for any other reason, a common culprit is a failed radiator fan. Another part of your coolant system, especially if you have a modern car, is an electric fan that draws air into the radiator to make sure it stays cool while you are idling or if you are driving at low speed. When this fan breaks, idle overheating is a common effect.

With over 100 years serving the automotive aftermarket community, we have learned what problems customers are dealing with, and what questions most commonly are asked. Below are some of our knowledge base/blog articles you might find relevant.

Knowing the common causes of radiator failure and how to prevent them can help drivers extend the life of their radiators. By utilizing routine car radiator repair in Northbrook, drivers can ensure their radiators remain in proper working condition and avoid costly repairs and replacements. Here are some of the most common causes of radiator failure that every car owner should know:

One of the most common causes of radiator failure is corrosion and mineral build-up due to a lack of maintenance. This buildup can cause blockages in the cooling system and eventually lead to a radiator malfunction. To prevent this from happening, drivers should flush their radiator and coolant at least once a year. This will help remove any build-up that may have accumulated.

Leaking radiators are another common cause of radiator failure. The most common cause of a leaking radiator is a broken or cracked seal. Over time, the seal can become brittle and weak, which allows coolant to escape. To prevent this from happening, drivers should inspect the seal of their radiator regularly and replace it if needed.

Faulty temperature sensors can also cause radiator failure. The purpose of the temperature sensor is to regulate the temperature of the radiator and coolant. If the sensor is malfunctioning, it can cause the radiator to overheat and potentially cause a failure. To prevent this from happening, drivers should have their temperature sensors inspected regularly and replace them when needed.

Inefficient coolant can also cause radiator failure. The coolant is responsible for keeping the radiator from overheating, but over time it can become less effective. To prevent this from happening, drivers should flush their radiator and coolant regularly to ensure it is functioning properly.

With a routine car radiator repair in Northbrook, drivers can ensure their radiators remain in proper working condition and avoid costly repairs and replacements. Knowing the common causes of radiator failure and how to prevent them can help drivers extend the life of their radiators. Regularly flushing the radiator and coolant, replacing faulty seals, inspecting temperature sensors, and replacing faulty fan clutches can help drivers prevent radiator failure.

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My radiator has sprung a leak and sealant has failed. I think I am facing replacement at this point but just want to clear something up. The leak is on the front-right (passenger) side of the radiator on the "tank" portion of the radiator. It's leaking from either a seam or a crack.. I don't know which it is. I have attached a photo. Hopefully one of you can confirm that it's a crack. Also, is this a common failure in a Subaru radiator? I've never seen such a thing before in any car.

PLASTIC!!! I thought it felt strange for metal. OK.. I want to make sure I purchase the right radiator since the engine is currently a 2.2 and I know it originally came with a 2.5 in that year so I checked the tag on the radiator. Now I am really confused.

First, it says "Made in USA" which I think is unusual. And the model number shows as 45111 AC100 which is not the normal one for a 97. In fact, I can't find this particular model number anywhere for a subaru. Any suggestions how I can make sure I get one that will fit the existing brackets or what to do about ordering correctly.

I don't know if it would be safe with your engine, I only know ea82s this will work - I put a short piece of solid wire around the valve on the radiator pressure cap, so that it makes a zero pressure system. Any leak will be far slower with 0psi vs 13psi. The risk is the lower boiling point at zero psi. If you do this, it is wise to check coolant level and air before every drive.

Since the 2.2 was swapped in to replace the original 2.5, I bet the radiator was replaced at the same time. I had to do exactly that when I replaced my 2.5 with a 2.2 in my 98 Outback. My wife "cooked" the 2.5, that it so badly over heated, and caused the radiator to leak.

I wouldn't be concerned about model numbers. Simply order a radiator to fit your 97 Outback. It is the size that matters, so needs to be a specific size designed to fit your Subaru mounting bracket. It is the bolt holes that need to line up to attach the radiator to the car. Dosn't matter if it is the 2.2 or 2.5 motors, both use the same radiator.

Replacement radiators may state that they are designed for both auto and 5 speed trannys. If you get one of those, you won't be hooking up any auto tranny coolant lines that are built into the radiator. The 5 speed does not use any radiator cooling, like the auto does.

Pretty much figure on a replacement radiator manufactured in China, no matter who sells it. Fortunately, they have a good reputation for quality. Yes, they will have the plastic end caps, but they seem to work okay.

I have a cracked radiator that I plan to fix or replace. I am concerned, though. I did some rudimentary Google research and the general consensus is that I may potentially be replacing parts without diagnosing the actual failure.

Some of what I read suggested that a head gasket failure can cause excessive pressure in the radiator. That perplexed me because my understanding of the cooling system is that is intended to release overpressure into the reservoir.

The radiator is designed to cool the coolant, not regulate any pressure. The radiator cap applies a set pressure that allows coolant pressure to be relieved into the over flow tank, and also intake addition coolant if needed.

I have not seen, in my professional automotive career, a head gasket cause a radiator to crack. You would need to verify your head gasket concern with a carbon detector, and any leaks with a pressure tester.

I recently took my 2004 GX470 (75k miles) in for routine maintenance. The shop tells me there is a pink califlower running down the radiator, indicating a leak. They recommend replacing the radiator with an after-market unit for an out-the-door cost of $583.

On some GX the radiator will develop a leak(slow leak) on the left lower corner of the radiator. It will have a crusty pink flake build up in the area. I recommend getting a factory radiator, because the radiator hose will have a snug fit on the snout using the original hose clamps.

I think manufacturing defects are very rare, unless anything associated with welding occasionally seen as most notably, failures occur where oil residues are present within radiators if not lexus would have issued a TSB under the comprehensive warranty for such model. My 04 is still kicking perfect( touchwood) I think Premature failure will usually occur due to pitting corrosion although this will have a wide range of causes. Commonly, oxygen pitting, chloride induced pitting and pitting associated with copper plating are found. Pitting usually occurs at areas of natural stress, i.e. convex folds or near welds which are anodic sites in the radiator. Manufacturing defects are rare but where found are commonly associated with welding defects. New radiators fitted to old systems are anodic to the system and are prone to premature failure. Old radiators may eventually fail due to under deposit corrosion associated with sludge deposits, usually magnetite, at the bottom-centre of the panel, which causes pitting corrosion in the absence of any specific fault with the water or system. In most radiators sludge accumulation causes blockage, or inefficiency, long before the radiator leaks.

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