Radiator Services

Radiator repair by trusted mobile mechanics 

If you’re in need of a radiator repair, then Lube Mobile should be your first call. We can service, repair or replace your radiator. A properly functioning radiator is crucial to keeping your engine running properly. If it is faulty or leaking it can cause major problems. In most cases something that may seem like a minor problem in an engine can have quite a substantial impact if left untreated.

One of the biggest reasons that people don't get their faulty or leaking radiator fixed, is the time it takes to seek out a suitable mechanic. Often, you’ll need to have a day off from work to get it sorted. When you choose a mobile mechanic, like Lube Mobile, we’ll come to you and take care of the repairs at your home or workplace.

Signs you need radiator repair

Some of the indications that you need a radiator repair are, leaking coolant, engine overheating, needing to add coolant regularly, or steam coming out from under the bonnet. If you see any of these you may need your cooling system examined by a professional mechanic to find source of the problem.

In most cases it’s unlikely you’ll need a radiator replacement, as often repairs are quick and effective. It could be something simple like a loose hose that needs adjusting, or perhaps the thermostat has seized and needs to be replaced. Your car's cooling system has many parts and with newer cars it can get even more confusing to examine every pipe and hose. Only by having the entire system thoroughly inspected by a mechanic can the problem be found and repaired properly.

An easy way to check for a problem with your radiator is to park the car on a clean surface, concrete is perfect, and let it run for a while. You’ll soon see a small puddle of coolant pooling under the vehicle if there is a leak (coolant is usually green but can be red or even blue!). Another way is to wait until the engine is cooled, waiting overnight is best, and then check the overflow bottle (if you have one), if it is empty, you may have a leak. Next open the radiator cap and see if there is any coolant present. If you can’t see any, you may have a problem that needs to be rectified.

How to repair a radiator leak

If you have a leaking radiator then it needs to be repaired. The most common radiator repair is changing or tightening a loose hose. As these are attached to moving parts they can come loose over time, in some cases they may split and need to be changed. If you have a split hose, you’ll need the car towed to a mechanic, or call Lube Mobile to repair your car on site. You should never drive a car that has no coolant in it as this will seize the engine, and this can be very expensive to repair.

If the hose is leaking near the connection and it’s not too bad (no more than a steady dripping), you can try to tighten it yourself. Be careful, as if the car has been running for a while the coolant can be very hot. Depending on the hose connection you can use a screwdriver and tighten the hose clamp. If the dripping ceases, then it should be okay. But you should still have the car seen by a mechanic.

How to repair a hole in a radiator

Having a hole in your radiator is never good, and in many cases, it may mean that you’ll need a radiator replacement. If the hole is small, it may be possible to repair it by using an additive sealant and sometimes these can provide good results. These are best used when the car is cool, and they can be purchased at many auto parts stores.

If the hole is large, then a radiator replacement may be your best option. As driving without a working cooling system is not recommended, your best option is to call Lube Mobile and we can perform the radiator repair for you.

How to repair a leaking radiator valve

A radiator valve, also known as a thermostat, is a small regulator that maintains the flow of coolant in your car's cooling system. Replacing a thermostat is a standard radiator repair, as they are a common fail point.

For this repair all the coolant will be drained from the cooling system. The thermostat is usually housed near the radiator, and it can be reached by removing either the upper or lower hoses. The thermostat is taken out and replaced, then the coolant will need to be refilled.