by | Mar 28, 2022 | A/C & Cooling System
If you notice coolant leaking out of your car and are worried that it could be caused by a serious problem, it may be time to take your vehicle to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. Here are some things that can cause coolant leaks.
Broken Or Loose Hoses
The hoses associated with the radiator can likewise be a guilty party; as they get more damaged, your hoses will get hard and weak, and that implies they won’t seal also. In the spots where they connect to the radiator, there is always a chance the coolant for leaks out of the hoses where they are damaged or loose.
Loose Radiator Cap
The radiator cap might be a little loose, yet it can cause serious problems. The radiator is tightly compressed, and the cap has to be able to make a tight seal that keeps the coolant at the right tension. In any case, with time, its seal can break down or the spring may begin to wear out, which can permit coolant to escape through the cap.
Blown Head Gasket
Your vehicle’s head gasket plays a tremendous part in how well your motor performs. At the point when a head gasket blows, you probably won’t know it for a long while. You could travel for quite some time before you start to see an issue. The head gasket needs to deal with a wide scope of temperatures and it can control both incredibly high and extremely low strain in the motor. It sits between the chamber head and the motor square and when it fosters a break, it is alluded to as “blown.” A blown head gasket can allow the coolant to leak.
Failed Water Pump
The water pump helps guarantee that coolant is being circled all through the engine. It is typically determined by a belt and is situated on the lower part of the motor, close to the drive belts. It associates with the lower hose of the radiator, yet at times that hose can turn out to be loose or even broken. It might also have some damage No matter what the reason when a water pump has an issue that keeps it from moving coolant all through the framework, your motor is in the long run going to overheat.
Coolant Tank Holes
To assist with providing coolant to your radiator, vehicles have an extension tank, which is that plastic compartment next to the motor. It is generally associated with the radiator by an elastic hose and takes care of or gets coolant to and from the radiator as the motor warms up or chills off. With time and temperature changes, that plastic can break down and crack or have holes in it. This can allow the coolant to leak out.
When you notice coolant is leaking from your car and need to find the cause, you can take it to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. Call the Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to assist you with all your car repair needs.
by | May 10, 2021 | A/C & Cooling System
If you are the owner of a vehicle, you know that one of the worst things that can happen is for the vehicle to overheat. When a car overheats it can stall and the engine can even blow up and leave you stranded and in need of expensive repairs. The best way to protect your car from overheating is to make sure you get regular maintenance from a reliable automotive repair shop with plenty of experience. If you are looking for some other ways to help prevent your car from overheating, be sure to keep some of these tips and suggestions in mind.
Check Fluids
The fluids in your car are important for a lot of reasons. Not only do they help lubricate the moving parts of the motor and car, they can also prevent it from overheating. If your fluids are low, you will notice that your car gets hotter faster and could be near overheating. If you are noticing your car overheating, it can be a good idea to check the fluids. You may also need to top them off and make sure they are full. You can check and add fluids yourself or you can take your car to a shop and have a professional do it for you.
Turn Off The AC
If you are driving your car on a hot day and you feel like you need to cool the interior, your first thoughts might be to turn on the AC and leave it on for the duration of your drive. Before you do this, be sure to think about how it will affect the temperature of your car’s engine. Your car will need to work harder to keep the air conditioner running so if possible, roll down the windows instead. You can also just run the air conditioner for a short time to cool down the car and then turn it off.
Get Your System Flushed
If your car’s radiator doesn’t seem to be working as it should, you may need to have it inspected by a mechanic. Sometimes the radiator just needs to be replaced and sometimes It can be flushed to remove anything that may be blocking the system and preventing the fluids from getting to the radiator and preventing the radiator from cooling the car.
If you are noticing that your car might be overheating or are looking for ways to make sure it doesn’t happen, you have a lot to think about. The above tips are just a few ways you can protect your vehicle from overheating and ensure it runs properly. If you need help making some simple repairs to your car or need to have a serious issue fixed, be sure to reach out to Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to help you with all your vehicle repair needs. Give a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop call to set up an appointment for your vehicle. We are happy to assist you.
by | Jun 1, 2020 | A/C & Cooling System
When the temperatures start to increase outside, there’s nothing better than knowing you can hop in your car and turn on the air conditioner to find some relief while driving. If your air conditioner isn’t working right, your happiness to take a ride could be short-lived. If you are air conditioner in your car isn’t working properly, you may need to have it fixed by a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. Here are some signs that your air conditioner needs to be charged.
Blows Hot Air
One of the most obvious reasons that there is a problem with your air conditioner is that it blows hot air. If you have your vehicle on the air setting, it should be blowing cold air. If it’s not, it could be because it doesn’t have any freon. Once the refrigerant has been added and the air conditioner has been charged, it can blow cold air again. If your car is blowing warm or even room temperature air, you should take it to a shop and have a mechanic determine if it needs to be charged or if there is another problem instead.
Fan Doesn’t Turn On
Sometimes when there’s no freon in your car’s air conditioner, it won’t turn on at on. You can turn the switch to the right setting, but the fan just won’t kick on. This is because the air conditioner needs to have refrigerant added so it can work correctly. If your fan isn’t working. It doesn’t just mean your air conditioner needs to be charged, it could also mean there is another problem. A mechanic will be able to help you fix the air conditioner properly.
Refrigerant Is Leaking
If you can see that there is refrigerant leaking from your vehicle, then it is very likely low on freon. Your air conditioner may still be working, but it’s only a matter of time before it stops working properly. You don’t just want to charge the air conditioner; you need to have a mechanic find the cause or reason for the leak and repair it. This will prevent the new freon from leaking out and causing other problems with your air conditioner. If you don’t repair the leak, it won’t do any good to charge your air conditioner, as the coolant will continue to leak out fo the car.
If your vehicle’s air conditioner isn’t working properly and you think it may be charged, you should take it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to have it charged. Once the air conditioner is charged, it will work much better and blow cold air again. You can call the Network Automotive Service Center to make an appointment to have your vehicle checked and repaired. We are here to help with all different types of automotive service needs, including air conditioner issues. If you need help with your vehicle, be sure to call and schedule an appointment with us.
by | May 25, 2020 | A/C & Cooling System
There is no polite way to say it: driving around Chandler in summer with weak air conditioning is miserable, and sometimes genuinely unsafe. When it is 113 degrees outside, cabin temperatures in a parked car can soar far higher, and an AC system that only sort of works cannot claw that heat back. One of the most common reasons a car’s AC underperforms is low refrigerant, and the fix is a professional evaluation and recharge. But how do you know whether your system needs a recharge, a repair, or both? Here are the signs a Chandler, AZ auto repair center looks for, and what each one means.
The Air Blows, but It Is Not Cold
This is the classic symptom. The fan works, air moves through the vents, but it is cool at best instead of cold. Your AC system cools by circulating refrigerant, which absorbs heat from cabin air and releases it outside. When the refrigerant charge drops below spec, the system physically cannot move enough heat, so vent temperatures rise. On a mild spring day you might not notice a marginal system. In an Arizona June, you absolutely will, because a system that has lost capacity has no headroom left when it is fighting triple digits.
One important note: refrigerant does not get used up like fuel. A sealed system should hold its charge for years. If your car is low, the refrigerant went somewhere, which usually means a small leak. That is why a proper service includes finding and fixing the cause, not just topping off the system so it can leak out again by August.
The AC Works at Highway Speed but Not in Traffic
A marginal system often behaves differently depending on how you drive. At highway speeds, plenty of air flows across the condenser at the front of the car, helping the system shed heat. Stuck in stop-and-go traffic on the 202 or idling in a school pickup line, the system depends on fans and an already-strained condenser. If your AC feels decent on the freeway but turns weak around town, low refrigerant or a struggling condenser is a likely suspect, and it is worth having the system tested before it quits entirely.
The Compressor Clutch Cycles Constantly or Will Not Engage
Listen for a soft click from the engine bay when the AC kicks on. That is the compressor clutch engaging. Two behaviors signal trouble:
- Rapid cycling: The clutch clicks on and off every few seconds. Low refrigerant pressure often causes the system to short-cycle as protection.
- No engagement at all: Many systems have a low-pressure cutoff that prevents the compressor from running when refrigerant is critically low, because running a compressor without enough refrigerant, which also carries the system’s lubricating oil, can destroy it.
That second point is the expensive one. A recharge is a modest service. A failed compressor is a major repair. Catching low refrigerant early protects the priciest component in the system.
Moisture, Odors, or Visible Leaks
A few other signs deserve attention. Oily residue around AC fittings, hoses, or the compressor can mark a refrigerant leak, since the oil travels with the refrigerant. A musty smell from the vents usually points to moisture and buildup in the evaporator case rather than refrigerant, but it still deserves attention, and it often shows up alongside other AC issues. And if you ever see the system’s lines frosting or icing over, shut the AC off and have it inspected; icing usually signals a charge or airflow problem inside the system.
Why a Professional Recharge Beats a DIY Can
Parts stores sell recharge kits, and in a pinch they are tempting. The trouble is that a gauge on a can cannot tell you how much refrigerant is actually in the system, whether there is air or moisture contaminating it, or where the leak is. Overcharging is just as harmful as undercharging, and sealer additives in some kits can clog components and complicate future repairs. A shop recovers the old refrigerant, pulls a vacuum to remove moisture, checks for leaks, and recharges the system to the exact weight your vehicle specifies. That precision is the difference between AC that limps through one summer and AC that is genuinely cold for years. You can browse related posts in our AC and cooling system archive to learn more about how these systems behave in Arizona heat.
How Often Should a Car Need a Recharge?
Here is the benchmark worth remembering: a healthy AC system may go many years without needing refrigerant. The system is sealed, and the refrigerant circulates rather than being consumed. Very small amounts can permeate out over a long period, which is why an older car may eventually benefit from a service even without a distinct failure. But if your car needs a recharge every season, you do not have a recharge problem; you have a leak, and each recharge without a repair is paying for the same refrigerant twice. A shop can add UV dye or use an electronic detector to locate the leak, fix the failing component or seal, and then charge the system once, properly. That approach costs more than a parking lot top-off the first time and far less than repeating it every summer.
Do Not Wait for the First 110-Degree Week
Every summer, AC problems surface in the East Valley at the exact moment everyone else discovers theirs too. The smart move is to test a weak system in spring, when a marginal AC is an inconvenience rather than a health concern for kids, older passengers, and pets in the back seat. If your AC seemed a little lazy at the end of last summer, that weakness will still be there when the heat returns, only worse. Call (480) 444-0242 to schedule an AC performance check before the season peaks, and it is worth checking our current coupons and specials before your visit.
Cold AC in Arizona is not a luxury; it is basic equipment. If your vents are blowing warm, your compressor is cycling oddly, or your system just cannot keep up the way it used to, explore our services or call Network Automotive Service Center, family-owned since 1995, at (480) 444-0242. A proper diagnosis and recharge now means every drive between here and October stays comfortable.
by | May 11, 2020 | A/C & Cooling System
If your radiator needs to be replaced, there’s a good chance you have noticed your vehicle acting up. When a radiator starts to go out, the signs that there is a problem may be hard to notice. The longer it goes without being replaced or repaired, the worse they will become, and the harder they will be to ignore. The radiator helps keep your car cool and if you don’t fix it, it could cause more severe problems with your engine. If you think your radiator may have a problem consider taking it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair center. Here’s how to tell if you need a new radiator.
Leaking Coolant
Sometimes a radiator can develop a leak or become cracked. This can happen if you run out of coolant and water freezes in it, if you have an accident, or if you hit a curb or bump in the road too hard. If the coolant leaks out, it may not be making it to the engine and won’t cool it. This could cause problems. If you notice your vehicle is leaking coolant, it could be coming from the radiator. It may be able to be fixed or replaced.
Discolored Coolant
If you check your coolant or if it appears to be an off-color in the reservoir, it’s a sign your radiator isn’t working as it should. There could be dirt or oil mixing with the coolant and causing it to become dirty. This could be a sign that the radiator is busted, or that it’s not doing its job. It could also be something as simple as replacing the coolant. It’s a good idea to take your car to a shop to find out why the coolant is discolored and to make sure there’s not a problem with your radiator.
Car Overheats
The most obvious and severe problem that a bad radiator can cause is for your car to overheat. The radiator helps pump coolant into the engine to keep it cool. If the radiator fails to pump the coolant or if it’s busted and allows the coolant to leak out, the engine can overheat. If this goes on for too long, the engine could become severely damaged or even blow up. That’s why it’s important to have your radiator replaced or repaired as soon as you notice a problem.
If you are vehicle’s radiator is causing issues with your engine or if you think it may just be leaking, you should make plans to have it repaired. You can take your car to a Mesa, AZ auto repair for repairs. You can call Network Automotive Service Center for help. Just call or stop by the service center to make an appointment. We can inspect your car and determine if the radiator is failing and if it can be replaced or needs to be repaired instead. We are here to help with all your repair needs.
by Network Automotive | Mar 9, 2020 | A/C & Cooling System
Your radiator has one job: keep your engine from cooking itself. In Gilbert, that job is harder than almost anywhere in the country. When the air temperature is already 112 degrees, your cooling system has very little margin for error, and a radiator that is corroded, clogged, or leaking can take an engine from fine to overheated in a single afternoon errand. The good news is that radiators rarely fail without warning. If you know the signs, you can get ahead of the problem before it strands you or damages the engine. Here is what a Gilbert, AZ auto repair service center looks for, and what you can watch for yourself.
What Your Radiator Actually Does
Coolant circulates through the engine, absorbing heat, then flows through the radiator’s thin tubes and fins, where moving air pulls that heat away before the coolant cycles back through. Every part of that loop matters: the radiator core, the cap that maintains system pressure, the hoses that carry coolant, the thermostat that regulates flow, and the fans that move air at low speeds. A failure anywhere in the loop shows up as heat, and in Arizona, heat escalates fast.
The Warning Signs of a Failing Radiator
Radiators announce trouble in a handful of recognizable ways. Here are the four to watch for.
Warning Sign 1: The Temperature Gauge Creeps Up
The clearest early sign of radiator trouble is a temperature gauge that runs higher than it used to, especially in slow traffic or while idling with the AC on. At highway speed, airflow through the radiator is strong. Sitting at a light on Gilbert Road, your car depends on its cooling fans and a clean radiator core to shed heat. A partially clogged radiator often reveals itself exactly there: fine on the freeway, hot in the drive-through line.
Never ignore an overheating warning. Continuing to drive a hot engine risks head gasket failure and warped components, which turn a cooling system repair into major engine work. If the gauge climbs into the red, pull over safely, shut the engine off, and let it cool before doing anything else.
Warning Sign 2: Coolant Leaks Under the Car
Coolant is usually bright green, orange, or pink, and it has a distinct sweet smell. If you spot colorful fluid pooling under the front of your vehicle, or you find yourself topping off the reservoir more than once between services, the system is losing coolant somewhere. Common culprits include:
- Corrosion pinholes in the radiator core, common in older radiators
- Cracked plastic end tanks, which become brittle after years of heat cycling
- Failing hoses or hose clamps
- A worn radiator cap that no longer holds pressure
Because several of these look identical from above, a pressure test at a repair shop is the reliable way to find the actual source instead of guessing and replacing parts one at a time.
Warning Sign 3: Discolored, Sludgy, or Rusty Coolant
Healthy coolant is translucent and vivid in color. Coolant that looks brown, rusty, or oily, or that has floating debris, is telling you something is wrong inside the system. Rust means corrosion is eating metal components. An oily film can indicate a much more serious problem where engine oil or transmission fluid is mixing with coolant. Sludge also coats the inside of the radiator’s narrow tubes, insulating them and cutting cooling capacity exactly when a Gilbert summer demands the most from it. If you see contaminated coolant, have the system inspected promptly rather than simply topping it off.
Warning Sign 4: Crusty White or Green Residue and Bent Fins
Pop the hood occasionally and look at the radiator itself. Dried white, green, or blue crust on the core or around fittings marks the spot where coolant has been seeping and evaporating. Large areas of crushed or blocked fins, sometimes packed with the dust our monsoon storms throw around, reduce airflow through the core. A radiator can be physically intact and still underperform badly because its surface can no longer breathe. This is a quick visual check that catches problems early, and it costs you nothing but a minute in the driveway.
How to Check Your Cooling System Safely
A few habits let you monitor the system between services without risk. First, only ever open the cooling system when the engine is completely cold; a hot, pressurized system can spray scalding coolant. With the engine cold, check the level in the translucent overflow reservoir against its min and max marks rather than opening the radiator cap. Glance at the color while you are there. Second, watch your temperature gauge occasionally during normal driving so you know what its normal position looks like; changes from that baseline are your earliest warning. Third, if you need to add coolant more than once in a short period, stop topping off and get the system tested, because the coolant is going somewhere and the destination matters.
Repair or Replace? Let a Diagnosis Decide
Not every cooling system symptom means the radiator itself is done. Sometimes the fix is a thermostat, a cap, a fan issue, or a hose, and proper engine diagnostics will sort that out quickly. But when a radiator core is corroded internally or leaking from multiple points, replacement is usually the smarter long-term move than patching, particularly here, where the next heat wave will find any weak spot. A technician can test the system, evaluate the radiator’s condition, and give you a straight answer about which repair actually solves the problem. If your temperature gauge has been wandering or you have found coolant spots on the driveway, call (480) 444-0242 and describe the symptoms; it is much better to have it checked than to gamble on a July breakdown.
It is also worth remembering that the radiator protects more than the engine. Your air conditioning system’s condenser sits right in front of it, and an overheating engine often drags AC and cooling system performance down with it. Keeping the cooling system healthy keeps summer driving bearable.
Radiator problems only get more expensive with time, and Arizona summers do not forgive procrastination. If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, explore our services or call Network Automotive Service Center, family-owned since 1995, at (480) 444-0242 to schedule a cooling system inspection. Catching a failing radiator early protects your engine, your budget, and every summer drive ahead.