If you’ve had symptoms like a coolant leak, low coolant level and an overheating engine or engine surging and you’ve learned it’s the radiator, find out when replacing the radiator what else should be replaced. Our expert mechanic Sue covers why we recommend replacing the radiator and the radiator cooling fan together in this article and video.
What Else Should Be Replaced When Replacing a Radiator?
You may have had an overheating engine, steam from the engine, a temperature gauge that reads high, a low coolant level, or engine surging and noticed the radiator is the cause after checking for coolant leaks. While you’ve determined you’re going to be replacing the radiator, you may wonder what else should be replaced at the same time.
We list 3 reasons why we recommend replacing the radiator cooling fan at the same time as the radiator, and we also cover how to inspect these parts to tell if they’re defective.
How to Check the Condition of the Radiator Cooling Fan
If the radiator cooling fan and radiator are old, the radiator can be less efficient at cooling the coolant, and this can cause issues like an overheating engine or an engine that fluctuates at idle.
To test the fan, you can probe the ground and positive with jumper wires. With the fan connected to the power source, you can turn it on and see how well it runs. A damaged fan will make a wining noise as its running.
You can also diagnose the cooling fan with a code reader that’s capable. You’ll start the vehicle and wait for the cooling fans to come on, and then you can monitor their performance and tell if it’s reaching the manufacturer’s specifications. You’ll know the fan is bad if you notice the fan has not turned on at the specific temperature, and you can check and see if it has power and ground. If it does, you know the fan needs to be replaced.
More on how the check the cooling fan
How to Check the Condition of the Radiator
Check the radiator for leaking, signs of damage like a hole or dirt in the fins, or rusted and rotted components. If the radiator is damaged and can’t cool down the coolant enough, it will run hot and cause symptoms like an overheating engine.
More on symptoms of a bad radiator
3 Reasons Why You Should Replace the Radiator and Cooling Fan Together
1. Save Time Replacing Them Together
After taking several steps to remove the cooling fan and radiator, if the car has high mileage you can save time by installing a new cooling fan with a new radiator than by installing the old cooling fan and new radiator, and then having to repeat several of these steps to replace an old, broken cooling fan at a later time.
If you notice the radiator is old and has damage like rust and rotting and if you know your vehicle’s repair history, then you’ll know if the cooling fan’s components like the motor have similar wear. For example, if you have a car with high mileage and you know the cooling fan and radiator are the originals from the factory, then you’ll know the cooling fan has had a lot of wear and may be near the end of its ability to work.
2. Save Money Replacing Them Together Yourself
If you’re replacing the radiator by yourself, you can save money by replacing the cooling fan at the same time. You can save money buying and installing the part yourself than for paying an additional cost of labor, especially if the additional parts installed cost less than the added cost of a professional mechanic’s time.
You can find how-to videos with step-by-step instructions from our mechanics in our video library. Watch videos covering general tips and repairs on specific models.
3. Improve Your Car’s Cooling System
With a new radiator and cooling fans to help cool it, the newer fans will run better and the newer radiator will be more efficient at cooling the coolant, allowing the system to run better.
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