When it comes to your automobile, there are two very important parts of the car: the radiator and thermostat. Without either part, the car would not be able to function properly.
Your thermostat works to regulate the amount of coolant that is brought to the radiator for cooling. When the engine gets too cold, the thermostat shuts down and the coolant is then directed back into the engine until it gets warmer. As the coolant warms up, the thermostat then opens back up and brings the coolant through both the radiator and engine again.
The Radiator
The radiator works to get rid of the heat found in the coolant so that the engine never gets too hot. A radiator is also a crucial part of the vehicle’s cooling system. The radiator takes hot coolant and passes it through metal fins that push the heat into the air and away from the liquid. Once the coolant gets to the proper temperature, the radiator then pumps the coolant back into the engine block.
Thermostat
If there is a problem with the thermostat, the coolant won’t get to the radiator. The result is an engine overheating. In most cases, there is no repair for a thermostat, you just have to replace it. Typically, depending on your BMW and the type of thermostat chosen, a replacement thermostat costs anywhere from $134 to $179.
BWM with Bad Radiator
In order to repair a bad radiator, you will need to fix any leaks in the radiator itself. However, it can be tough to spot these leaks and then fix them. Drivers commonly report coolant leaks from their BWM’s radiator. That’s why you must be on the lookout for bubbles or steam coming out of the radiator. This will typically show you where the source of the leak is. Most of the time, you can just patch up a leak. If the patch doesn’t do the trick, the radiator will need to be replaced. In that case, a replacement radiator can cost anywhere from $45 at a parts yard to $200 for a brand new one. Bring your BWM over to Desert Auto Repair or schedule your maintenance now.