Factors Causing Car Radiators to Leak

JAKARTA, February 2025, When driving your beloved car, Daihatsu friends must be shocked to see the engine temperature gauge needle on the speedometer panel spike. Usually, this is a sign that the car's engine is experiencing overheating, which can happen for several reasons.

One of them is due to a leaking radiator. So why can this vital component that channels and releases heat leak?

There are several reasons for this, here are some of them.

Leaking Radiator Due to Foreign Objects

New vehicle owners may not believe that the radiator can leak given that the component is still in good condition. However, who would have thought that the device positioned at the front of the engine with an open grille is vulnerable to foreign objects.

There is a risk of being hit by gravel, flying animals, or colliding with other foreign objects. It is not impossible for the grille or the radiator wall to be damaged, eventually leading to a leak.

Radiator Lifespan Depends on Maintenance

All components in a vehicle have a lifespan, including the radiator. However, its lifespan is determined by maintenance. If well-maintained, it can last up to 10 years. However, if not, usually around 5 years, the radiator starts to have problems and needs to be serviced or replaced.

Supporting Components of the Radiator Start to Become Brittle

Vehicle owners whose vehicles have been in use for more than 10 years should be more cautious. The radiator's location near the engine usually makes its supporting components likely to become brittle. Such as radiator hoses made of rubber, and even the reservoir tank made of plastic. Both of these materials, if frequently exposed to continuous heat, can trigger cracking, eventually causing leaks in the radiator system.

Radiator Channels Blocked

A warning for Daihatsu friends who are used to using regular water and not regularly checking the condition of the radiator water. If often neglected, dirt will accumulate over time, which can block the distribution path of the radiator water. When it is obstructed, heat from the engine cannot be transferred to the radiator's heat dissipation elements.

It is advisable to check its condition every 30,000 km or 40,000 km, so that the radiator remains in optimal condition and performs at its best.