While Toyota is a great car brand, it still struggles with issues all cars struggle with. Toyota still requires a lot of gas, ages faster than you want, and has parts that will fail. Even something as important as the radiator will start to degrade over time. Continue reading to learn about the signs that your Toyota needs a radiator replacement.

Visible Smoke

Smoke is one of the most visible signs of something wrong with your radiator. The radiator is supposed to redirect the heat away from your engine, so it doesn’t overheat. However, if the radiator is malfunctioning and needs replacing, it won’t do its job. Your engine will get too hot, and smoke may come out of the hood.

Overheating

Smoke is a sign that your engine is overheating, but it’s not the only sign that your Toyota is getting too hot, meaning your radiator needs replacement. Some other signs of overheating include the following:

• The inability to cool the cabin
• The dashboard light coming on
• Unusual smells
• Weird noises
• Performance issues

If you notice any of these issues, your car may be overheating and need a new radiator.

Leaking Coolant

Another common sign that something is wrong with your radiator is leaking coolant. It can be tricky to spot this at first, but there are distinct signs. For example, if you leave your parking space and see a puddle of brightly colored liquid, your car is definitely leaking coolant. Furthermore, if you need to replace your coolant more frequently than your car’s manual recommends, then there is probably a leak. In either case, you will need to replace your radiator.

Clogged Fins

Clogged fins are another sign that your radiator needs replacing. It’s common for these fins to clog and restrict your engine’s access to cool air. These fins carry the hot coolant and need cool air to bring the temperature down. Dirt, water, stones, leaves, and even insects can clog up your fins and cause your Toyota to overheat.

Rusty Radiator

Another sign you need to replace the radiator is visible rust. Rust is common on different car parts, but it can be dangerous on the radiator. This rust can create holes that cause coolant leaks. The rust can also contaminate the coolant, and contaminated coolant becomes thick, quickly clogging the radiator and damaging the engine.

Now that you know the signs that your Toyota needs a radiator replacement, you can keep your car in good shape. Finding a radiator can be tricky, but if you work with us at Northwest Team Yota, we make it easy! We have all the DENSO Toyota parts you’ll need, including the radiators you need to get your Toyota back on the road.