Coolant System Service

Coolant System Service at Stanley Ford McGregor

Summer means hot weather, which also means your coolant system is hard at work. If you live in McGregor, Killeen, or Waco, you can bring your vehicle to Stanley Ford McGregor for our coolant system services. Maintaining your cooling system is important to your vehicle’s health, as an improperly maintained coolant system can lead to a serious problem with your engine. Stanley Ford McGregor is here to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.

What Happens During a Coolant System Service?

The technicians at Stanley Ford McGregor will begin by running a coolant system diagnostic to see if there are any problems with the radiator or thermostat. They will also do other checks and services as follows:

• Check for leaks and cracks in the system and ensure that all parts are still in good shape, and if not, replace the worn-out components as needed.
•  Check water pump, heating core, belts, hoses, head gasket, and radiator.
• Check system pressure and volume of coolant.
• Flush old fluid from the system and replace it with new coolant.
• Check that the coolant system is adequately supplied with the correct amount of new coolant.

How Often Should I Flush the System?

This question has many answers because it is different for every vehicle. The best practice is to check your owner’s manual since it will have the recommended maintenance schedule for your coolant system and all other maintainable systems. The range can be from 30,000 to 120,000 miles depending on the vehicle, so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The coolant in your vehicle doesn’t have an expiration date, but over time, the fluid will break down and become less effective. If you want to find out if it is time to flush your coolant system, our technicians at Stanley Ford McGregor can test your coolant to see if it needs to be changed. At times, you may need to flush the vehicle ahead of schedule. Here are examples that indicate you need a coolant system flush or another service:

• If you notice pools of orange or green liquid under your vehicle, you likely have a leak in the system.
•  If you notice a sugary or maple syrup-like smell, your vehicle may be burning fluid that has leaked onto parts of the engine.
• If your vehicle overheats regularly, or if you find yourself on the side of the road or stuck in a parking lot with steam billowing out from under your hood, you need service immediately.

What Is the Difference Between Coolant and Antifreeze?

Although there is a difference between coolant and antifreeze, they are closely related. In fact, antifreeze is a component of coolant. Coolant consists of half water and half antifreeze. The antifreeze keeps the water from freezing during colder weather, so the coolant has the freedom to circulate easily around the system. If you are driving in the summer, it also keeps the fluid from boiling and the engine from overheating.