The radiator is one of the most crucial components of your cooling system, responsible for dissipating heat from coolant into the surroundings so your engine can stay operating at a safe temperature.
As such a large component, radiator replacement can seem daunting for many drivers. In this article, we’ll break down how radiators experience failure, what symptoms you may notice, and how much you may need to spend to have yours swapped out.
How Do Radiators Fail?
Radiators can fail for a variety of reasons, including physical damage and corrosion.
Generally located at the front of the vehicle behind the grill, radiators are exposed to a high degree of road debris and inclement weather. Over time, small impacts and/or corrosion from outside moisture can cause small leaks in the metal housing, allowing for crucial coolant to exit the system.
Symptoms of a Failing Radiator
The most obvious sign of a faulty radiator is overheating, as leakage of coolant out of the system will deprive your engine of the coolant fluid it needs to maintain a safe operating temperature.
External leaks also mean you may notice streaks or puddles of coolant below your vehicle, which of course means you engine is losing coolant volume.
Overheating conditions will also be accompanied by warning lights for coolant temperature or coolant level along with a high temperature reading on the engine’s thermometer.
How Much Do Radiator Replacements Cost?
Of course, the exact cost of a radiator replacement depends on factors such as the make and model of the vehicle and location of service. For example, replacements on a specialty German vehicle will likely be costlier than the same service on the majority of commuter vehicles.
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $700 to $1700 depending on the specific parts and labor needed.
Cooling System Services in Riverton, Utah
If you’re in need of a radiator replacement, or any other cooling-related issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment needed to provide your vehicle with the cooling system maintenance it deserves, no matter the make or model!
Give us a call today or schedule online to secure your appointment with the friendly team at Matson Point S.
Wheel alignments are one of the most crucial maintenance services when it comes to keeping your vehicle driving as it should, yet it’s also one of the easiest to overlook as suspension systems slowly fall out of proper alignment over the course of thousands of miles.
So what actually is wheel alignment, why is it such an important service for you vehicle, and how do you know if it’s time to bring your vehicle in for one?
What Is a Wheel Alignment?
Wheel alignments consist of using specialized equipment to align each of the suspension components to the proper angle, ensuring that each of the four wheels are pointed perfectly straight.
Why Do I Need Wheel Alignments?
Over time, the various components of your suspension system will begin to fall out of alignment, and as it’s such an interconnected system, even a small misalignment can shift the rest of the components into the incorrect place.
Without wheel alignments, your wheels will eventually end up pointing slightly awry and can cause the vehicle to behave unpredictably.
How Often Do I Need an Alignment?
In general, it’s best to have your vehicle’s wheels aligned around every year or so. While the exact interval can vary depending on a variety of factors like make/model and driving habits, an annual alignment ensures that the issue is not able to worsen and cause issues.
How Do I Know If I Need an Alignment?
While wheel alignments should be done occasionally anyways, there are a few signs to look out for that could be warning you of improper alignment, including:
Vehicle pulls to the side
Difficulty making turns
Tires skips or hop when turning
Reduced fuel efficiency
Increased suspension wear
If you notice any of the above symptoms or suspect your vehicle is in need of an alignment, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a trusted automotive professional to ensure your suspension components are all in the right place.
Wheel Alignments in Riverton, Utah
If your vehicle is in need of an alignment, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our technicians have the training and state-of-the-art alignment equipment to ensure each suspension component is aligned perfectly to the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Don’t delay, give us a call or schedule online today!
It can be both pricey and time-consuming to have your tires swapped out for the upcoming season, which leads many to ask the question; can I just keep driving on my winter tires through the summer?
All-Season vs. Winter Tires
All-Season tires are made with versatility in mind, able to provide sufficient traction on road surfaces at a variety of temperatures and traction levels. All-Seasons have the ability to perform well even in some wet and slippery conditions. Those living in locations that stay pretty dry over the winter may not need to switch to a seasonal tire at all.
However, if you live in an area that sees heavy snowfall and icy streets, such as here in the Salt Lake Valley, it’s important to ensure that your tires can handle these circumstances. This is where winter tires shine, built to provide sufficient traction in inclement weather. The rubber compound of all-season tires become stiff in cold weather, and don’t have the proper traction patterns to disperse water effectively, making winter tires a must for many in the winter months.
Winter tires make use of a specialized soft rubber compound as deep tread to maintain adequate traction. The soft rubber prevents the tires from over-stiffening in the freezing cold, and aggressive siping allows for the tread to bite into packed snow and ice.
Effects of Driving on Winter Tires Year-Round
Although it can seem appealing from a financial perspective to simply keep driving on your winter tires through the hotter months, there are a multitude of reasons why this can be a bad idea.
Increased Tread Wear
For one, the soft rubber compound that’s essential for winter performance is not tailored for high heat. The extra-soft compound becomes too pliable in summer conditions, causing the material to break down and the tread to degrade rapidly, leaving you in need of replacements much sooner.
If saving money on replacements is your goal, forcing your winter tires to deal with summer temperatures may be one of the worst things you can do, as you’ll likely need a new set of tires anyways before the winter comes back around.
Decreased Traction
Not only does driving on winter tires year-round cause rapid wear on the tires itself, it can also become dangerous for you and your passengers.
This is due to the reduced traction that winter tires see in summer conditions, as the soft rubber compound becomes too pliable at these temperatures. Since the tread will be too soft to create proper traction, your vehicle will experience increased stopping distances and reduced grip that could land you in some unsafe circumstances.
Reduced Efficiency
Also due to the softer rubber compound, driving on winter tires during warm months can drastically reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Soft tires have increased rolling resistance, making the engine work harder to push your vehicle to the desired speed.
The Wrap Up
The answer to if you can drive on winter tires year-round is a hesitant yes, as they’ll still get you to where you need to go (say, a tire shop). However, the important question rather is should you drive on them year-round? By forcing winter tires to cope with the circumstances of hot weather, you open yourself up to a number of problems, including rapid wear and potential safety issues.
In the end, it’s always a good idea to ensure your vehicle is running the proper type of tire. Not only will this provide you with superior traction, it may also counter-intuitively save you cash down the line as all-season tire tread will provide much better durability in summer conditions.
Tire Replacements at Matson Point S
If you need your tires swapped out for the season, or require any other tire services, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly team at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our experienced advisors will help walk you through the tire replacement process, and ensure that they’ll be up to the task of the upcoming season. Give us a call or schedule online today!
Noticing an unusual rattling sound from your exhaust can be worrying, as this system plays a number of important roles in your vehicle, including quieting engine noise, moving fumes away from the cabin, and removing harmful compounds from the engine’s emissions.
While a rattling exhaust isn’t always cause for immediate concern, it’s important to understand the common causes of this issue and what it could mean for your vehicle. In this article, we’ll cover the most frequent reasons for a rattling exhaust and what effects it could have.
Common Causes of Exhaust Rattle
Damaged/Worn Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converters are the components responsible for removing harmful compounds from the exhaust’s emissions. This is accomplished through the use of an internal honeycomb structure made from rare-earth metals like palladium, platinum, and rhodium.
These honeycomb structures can begin to wear and degrade over time, allowing for small pieces to break off and become stuck in the component’s housing. Since the debris is stuck within the catalytic converter, it will be blown around as the exhaust gasses pass by, contacting the housing of the converter and creating that dreaded rattling noise.
A worn-out catalytic converter isn’t just an annoyance, it can significantly reduce your exhaust system’s ability to filter out harmful emissions, releasing them into the atmosphere and also preventing your vehicle from passing emissions testing required for registration.
Loose Heat Shield
One of the most harmless causes of an exhaust rattle is a loose heat shield. Exhaust components like the catalytic converter are shrouded in a metal heat shield to prevent the spread of heat to other components or the chance of setting dry grass/brush under your vehicle alight. .
If the hardware holding this shroud on becomes loose or fails, it can allow for the heat shield to vibrate against other metal components, leading to a rattling noise from under your vehicle.
In general, loose heat shields aren’t cause for immediate concern. However, if the heat shield has completely detached, it’s important to have it reinstalled or replaced as soon as possible to prevent the chance of fire when parking or driving on grass, brush, or other flammable surfaces.
Exhaust Leaks
Leaks in your exhaust system can lead to a number of unusual sounds, including a rattling noise on acceleration. An exhaust leak allows for both unmitigated engine noise and unfiltered exhaust fumes to exit the system prior to reaching critical components like the catalytic converters or mufflers.
The severity and potential harm of an exhaust leak depend on the size and location of the leak, however, any leak that allows for emissions to exit the system prior to the oxygen sensors located near the catalytic converters will prevent the engine from receiving the proper information on the oxygen content of your exhaust, throwing off the air-fuel ratio that your engine relies on for efficient operation.
If you notice a leak in your exhaust system, it’s important to have it inspected by a trusted automotive professional as soon as possible to avoid further issues.
Loose Muffler Baffles
The inside of mufflers contain special sound-obstructing components called baffles, which absorb much of your engine’s noise before reaching the tailpipe. Without them, your morning commute may sound more like the Indy 500 than a quiet highway cruise.
Over time, impacts and corrosion can wear down these internals baffles and cause them to detach from the muffler housing, allowing them to bounce around the walls are the muffler and causing a rattling noise.
Exhaust Services in Riverton, Utah
If you’re experiencing a rattling noise from your exhaust, don’t hesitate to have it inspected and repaired by the exhaust experts at Matson Point S in Riverton, Utah. Our team has extensive training in providing quality exhaust service and repair on all makes and models. Give us a call or schedule online today!
When your engine is functioning properly, the exhaust produced should be nearly invisible, especially once the engine has warmed up. Dark or black smoke indicates that your engine is burning too much fuel or oil is getting into the combustion chamber. This inefficient combustion not only wastes fuel and oil but can lead to more serious problems if left unaddressed.
Unlike white smoke (which typically indicates coolant entering the combustion chamber), black smoke is specifically tied to fuel related or oil burning issues. Understanding the root cause is essential for proper repairs and preventing further damage.
Common Causes of Dark Exhaust Smoke
Malfunctioning Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors are responsible for delivering precisely the right amount of fuel into your engine’s combustion chambers. When they become dirty or damaged, they can get stuck open, dumping excess fuel into the engine. This excess fuel cannot burn completely, resulting in the dark smoke you see coming from your exhaust.
Signs of faulty injectors often include rough idling, decreased fuel economy, and hesitation during acceleration. These symptoms are typically accompanied with a check engine light on your dash.
High Pressure Fuel Pumps
Many modern engines utilize high pressure fuel pumps as part of the direct injection fueling system. These have internal seals and integrated fuel regulators. If any of these components there is the possibility of additional unwanted fuel entering the combustion chamber causing an excessively “rich” condition and producing smoke out of the tail pipe
Other Fuel Related Issues
In addition to faulty fuel injectors and high pressure fuel pumps, anything else that is used to control the volume of fuel being delivered to the combustion chamber can cause smoke. This can include the fuel pressure regulator, faulty sensors and computers. Any component that is delivering more fuel than the engine can combust has the potential to produce black smoke out the tailpipe.
Worn Piston Rings or Valve Seals
Severely worn piston rings or valve seals can contribute to black smoke as well. When these components wear out, they allow oil to seep into the combustion chamber where it burns along with the fuel, creating a darker exhaust.
This problem typically lessens as the engine heats up as the tolerances will get tighter as the metals in the engine expand and make it more difficult for the oil to get past the rings and seals. You will notice increased oil consumption and decreased engine performance when these components have failed.
Malfunctioning Crankcase Ventilation System
Many vehicles utilize a system to vent and recycle gases from an engine’s crankcase to reduce emissions and internal crankcase pressure buildup. If these systems fail either through clogged valves or pipes it can direct the oil vapors into the combustion chamber instead of back into the lower crankcase. This produces the same result of worn piston rings or valve seals. The malfunctioning crankcase ventilation system is directing oil to be burned off causing smoke. We tend to see this more on European-made vehicles due to their more complex systems, but it is becoming more common on domestic and import vehicles.
Malfunctioning Turbocharger
If your vehicle is equipped with a turbocharger, problems with this component can be a significant source of black exhaust smoke. A failing turbocharger might allow oil to leak into the exhaust system. This is typically due to the internal seal of the turbocharger failing and then dumping oil directly into the exhaust and burning off and smoking out the exhaust.
Turbocharger issues are especially concerning as they can quickly escalate to more severe engine damage if not addressed promptly. Other symptoms might include a whistling noise, loss of power, or the illumination of your check engine light.
Diesel Engine Related
Diesel engines have their own unique issues related to black smoke out of the tailpipe in addition to the ones mentioned above. Diesel engine can be prone to soot buildup. Some of this is normal and natural, but over time it can become severe enough to cause issues with components such EGR valves, diesel particulate filters (DPF), and coked up intake systems. When these components get overwhelmed with soot then the engine efficiency is compromised and the diesel fuel injected that is not combusted completely produces a dark black soot-filled smoke out of the tailpipe.
Is Dark Smoke Dangerous for My Vehicle?
The short answer is yes, dark smoke indicates a problem that should not be ignored.
Immediate Performance Issues: A vehicle producing black exhaust smoke is not operating efficiently. You’ll likely notice decreased power, rough running, and significantly reduced fuel economy. These performance issues will only worsen over time.
Long-term Damage Potential: Running rich for extended periods can lead to carbon buildup on valves and pistons, catalytic converter damage, and fouled spark plugs
Exhaust & Engine Services in Riverton
Dark smoke from your exhaust is a clear warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored. While the causes range from relatively simple fixes like replacing oxygen sensors to more complex issues involving turbochargers or internal engine components, prompt diagnosis is key to preventing further damage.
At Matson Point S Tire & Service, our ASE-certified technicians have the diagnostic equipment and expertise to quickly identify the source of your exhaust smoke problems. Many of these issues, when caught early, can be resolved before they lead to more expensive repairs.
Don’t wait until minor problems become major ones. If you’re seeing dark smoke from your exhaust, it’s time to get your vehicle checked. Call us at (801) 302-7175 or Schedule an Appointment online today!
