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If a car's radiator NEVER gets hot, it probably means that water/coolant heated by the engine is not reaching the radiator for some reason.
The most likely cause is a thermostat that is stuck in the closed position. It's supposed to open when water circulating in the engine reaches a certain temperature, allowing the water to flow to the radiator and be cooled. But if the thermostat never opens, the water will usually keep getting hotter and hotter until something bad happens.
Sometimes, if there's not enough water/coolant in the cooling system, the radiator won't get hot because not enough water is circulating through it. That's still not good, because it means the engine has no way to get rid of its excess heat.
However, in these scenarios, if the problem isn't fixed there is likely to be severe damage to the engine from overheating. Most vehicle engines MUST have some way of getting rid of excess heat, and that's usually through the radiator.
In extremely cold temperatures -- well below freezing -- it could be possible for outside air to cool the radiator so effectively that it never gets hot. But that's definitely not a common situation.
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∙ 10y ago
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How do you add antifreeze to a car?
Open the radiator cap when the engine is cool, check the radiator's fluid level, and add appropriately. NEVER OPEN A RADIATOR CAP WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT OR OVERHEATING. Check your car's owner's manual for specific details.
Do you check radiator fluid when car hot or cold?
Do it when the car is cold if the radiator is hot fluid may be forced out when you take off the cap.
How do you add water to a jetta radiator?
When a car is hot, keep the car running and add water to the radiator. When a car is cold, you can simply put the water into the radiator.
Why is dangerous to remove the radiator cap of a car when the engine is still hot?
Hot water in the radiator is under pressure and can burn you.
If a car is overheating will radiator cap be hot?
most likely it will be hot so put snow on it
Why does a car need a overflow jug for the radiator?
In a radiator, the fluids get really hot, when things get hot they expand and then they have to go somewhere, the fluid goes into an overflow.
Should the car be cold or Hot to Check antifreeze?
cold. If you open the radiator when the car is hot, it can spray all over the place.
What do you check if your water is leaking out your car and running hot?
Thermostat and radiator
Why does a car radiator produce steam when broken down in the summer?
There are plenty of ways a car can break down without the radiator being a part of the cause. As for the reason you'd see steam from a radiator, it would escape if there was a leak in the radiator or the hoses, or if the cap was opened. The contents in a radiator are very hot - hot enough to produce steam.
When do you know you need a new radiator?
If your radiator is leaking then you will need to replace it. Additionally, if you find that your car is constantly running hot you will need a new radiator.
How you unfreeze the water in your radiator?
remove your radiator form your car then poor some hot water in radiator till water comes out nice and smooth.
At times your car smells like the engine is hot?
When your car smells like the engine is hot, is the engine hot? If it smells hot and the engine is not hot, then you have coolant escaping onto a hot surface. You may have bad radiator hoses, a leaky radiator, a blown gasket, or some other problem. You need to find the leak.
