Maintaining Your Kia Cooling System: Service Tips

Your Kia has a highly efficient cooling system that helps control the temperature inside the engine compartment. Combustion and the constant movement of countless components generate large quantities of heat, and the cooling system removes this heat to prevent damage to sensitive engine components. We want to give you a few examples of signs you need to visit us for Kia cooling system maintenance.

Signs You Need Kia Cooling System Maintenance at Your Kia Dealer

Coolant Leak

Coolant is pumped under high pressure through your cooling system. As it moves, it absorbs heat radiating from the engine. The heat is locked away inside the coolant and transported to the radiator. Once the coolant enters the radiator, it enters rows of thin metal tubes. Airflow through the grille passes over the tubes and removes the heat, allowing the coolant to resume its ending journey through your engine.

In time, worn or damaged cooling system components can leak. As coolant is lost, pressure in the system drops, and the remaining coolant slows. This causes your engine temperature to rise. Fortunately, a coolant leak is usually easy to spot as coolant comes in a range of bright colors like pink, orange, and blue. If you spot a leak, contact us ASAP so we can find and seal the leak and protect your engine from damage.

Worn Hoses

The radiator connects to the cooling system through two rubber hoses, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the radiator. These hoses are made from high-strength reinforced rubber, as they must routinely carry coolant that easily reaches temperatures of 300 F or more. However, even reinforced rubber can become damaged over time.

The rubber hoses lose flexibility, resulting in cracks that deepen and widen and eventually create a leak. In addition, the metal clamps that securely connect the hoses to the radiator can rust or wear out. This causes coolant to spray onto the radiator and other components, and your engine will start to overheat. Our technicians will replace worn or damaged hoses, and we can easily replace damaged clamps and re-secure the hoses.

Damaged Water Pump

Coolant is released into your engine when its internal temperature reaches a pre-set level. Once this happens, the thermostat opens, releasing coolant. The water pump automatically starts pumping the coolant through the engine to remove heat. As time passes, the water pump can wear out, preventing the coolant from moving.

Without a working pump, the coolant can’t move and absorb heat, and you’ll see your engine temperature gauge rapidly increase. We’ll test the pump and replace it if it’s failed, and the engine temperature will return to normal.

If you have a cooling system problem, contact our service department right away at Coughlin Kia of Lancaster in Lancaster, OH.

Tags: cooling system care, Coughlin Kia of Lancaster service, Kia cooling system maintenance, Kia dealer near Lancaster OH, Kia maintenance advice, Kia Service Tips
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