Shortly after starting your vehicle's engine it begins to operate at incredibly high temperatures. Without the help of the cooling system the engine would cook itself from within, quickly failing and resulting in a need for an engine transplant. Thankfully your cooling system prevents this from happening, that is, if it is in good working condition. If you notice any of the following signs of trouble with the cooling system you will want to make an appointment with your mechanic to get it taken care of right away to prevent major engine damage.
Rising Temperature Gauge
More often than not one of the first signs of trouble that you will experience with the cooling system is a red hot temperature gauge. Well, the gauge itself won't be hot, but it will indicate that the engine is! This gauge is generally placed on the dashboard, and should you ever notice that it is pointing to the hot zone you should pull over and shut your car off as soon as it is safe and legal to do so.
Steaming Hood
The next thing you may notice, if you aren't able to pull over to let your car cool, is white steam coming from under the hood. This means your vehicle is currently overheating and if you don't pull over soon you'll face major problems with the motor. Once you have pulled over give your mechanic a call to see what you should do next. They may say let the car cool and then drive to the shop or call a tow truck to avoid bigger problems.
Low Levels of Coolant
On occasion it is important that you check the fluid levels throughout your vehicle. If you ever come to find that the coolant is low it is likely that a leak has sprung. Be sure to check over the engine for signs of coolant splatter, which would come in the form of small spots of discoloration, which would appear as the coolant boils off the hot engine parts.
White Exhaust Smoke
If you do notice low levels of coolant, it may be accompanied by puffy white exhaust smoke. This indicates that coolant is being burnt up inside the engine and expelled through the tailpipe.
Visible Coolant Leak
On the other hand you may spot a bright green liquid collecting under your vehicle. This is coolant, aka antifreeze. Be sure to get your vehicle to a repair shop so the leak can be found and repaired as soon as possible.
The cooling system is integral to the operation of your vehicle. If you believe that you need cooling system service such as water pump or radiator repair in Austin head to Oak Hill Automotive. Our technicians offer full service domestic, Asian and European auto repair. Give us a call to make an appointment for complete auto repair in Austin today!