Radiator & Cooling System Repair
Overheating, coolant leaks or a sweet smell from under the hood? Cooling problems get expensive fast. Let's catch it early.
Your cooling system keeps the engine in a narrow temperature range. When it fails, the results can include warped heads, blown head gaskets and, on diesels, damaged EGR and oil coolers. Most cooling problems start small, with a seep, a weak cap or old coolant, and they're far cheaper to fix at that stage.
Signs of a cooling problem
- Temperature gauge climbing, especially when towing or climbing hills
- Coolant puddles, or a coolant reservoir that keeps going low
- Sweet smell or steam from under the hood
- Heater blowing cold in winter
- White smoke from the exhaust, or milky oil
- Fan roaring constantly, or not engaging at all
What we do
- Pressure testing to find leaks, plus cap testing
- Radiator replacement
- Water pump and thermostat replacement
- Hose and clamp replacement
- Fan clutch, electric fan and fan control diagnosis
- Coolant testing and coolant flush with the correct coolant type
- Heater core and heater control diagnosis
- Head gasket diagnosis when coolant is disappearing without a visible leak
Diesel cooling systems
Diesel trucks carry a lot of coolant and a lot of heat, especially when towing. On top of the radiator and water pump, many have EGR coolers and oil coolers that can fail or clog. The 6.4L Power Stroke is known for radiator and cooling trouble, the 6.0L for oil cooler and EGR cooler issues, and heavy towing can push any diesel's cooling system to its limit. We diagnose and repair all of it, and we test coolant condition so it's protecting the engine rather than eating it from the inside.
Drew got my F350 in quick, fixed the 6.4L Powerstroke cooling problem, did it right the first time and charged a fair price - an awesome NAPA Certified Auto Care shop backed by a great warranty!!!
After looking for a new mechanic, I found Drew at Elite Diesel & Auto Works. They have helped me with multiple problems on multiple vehicles. From oil changes to a water pump to all new tires, Elite does it all! Knowledgeable and honest, this is the only place I'll be taking my vehicles from now on.
Cooling system FAQ
Can I keep driving if my engine is overheating?
No. Pull over safely and shut the engine off. Driving an overheating engine can cause major damage. Call us at (816) 269-4402 and we'll help you figure out the next step.
How often should coolant be changed?
It depends on the coolant type and vehicle; many modern coolants last 5 years or more. We can test your coolant's condition and protection level and tell you whether it's due.