Radiators & Cooling at AAA Air Conditioning & Radiators, an independently owned shop at 18400 NW 2nd Ave in Miami Gardens, open since 1992. Updated .
Radiators are the other half of our name, and we've been working on cooling systems since 1992. We install new radiators only, never used or patched units, and every installation is backed by our warranty.
Miami heat and stop-and-go traffic are hard on cooling systems. A radiator that's partly clogged may run fine on a cool morning and overheat in traffic on a hot afternoon. The same fans cool the A/C condenser, which is why a car that runs hot often blows warm air too (see car A/C repair).
What makes a car overheat?
Low coolant from a leak is the usual cause. Other common ones are a clogged or cracked radiator, a thermostat stuck closed, a failing water pump, a cooling fan that isn't switching on, or a bad radiator cap. Less often it's a head gasket. We pressure-test the system to find the actual cause instead of guessing.
Should I keep driving if the temperature gauge is high?
No. Pull over when it's safe and turn the engine off. Driving an overheating engine can warp the cylinder head and turn a radiator job into an engine job. Never open the radiator cap while the engine is hot.
How long does a radiator last?
Many last eight to ten years, but plastic end tanks crack with age and heat cycles. Changing the coolant on schedule helps a radiator last longer.
Cooling system work we do
- New radiator installation
- Cooling system pressure testing
- Thermostats, hoses and radiator caps
- Electric cooling fans and fan relays
- Coolant drain and refill
- Water pumps (see timing belt and water pump replacement)
Signs of a cooling system problem
- Temperature gauge climbs in traffic
- Steam or a sweet smell from under the hood
- Green, orange or pink puddles under the car
- Coolant reservoir keeps running low
- Rusty or sludgy coolant
- A/C gets warm when the engine runs hot
What a cooling system job includes
- Cooling system pressure test
- New radiators only, no used or patched units
- Thermostat, hose and cap replacement
- Cooling fan and relay diagnosis
- Coolant drain and refill
Radiator and cooling questions
Do you repair radiators or replace them?
We install new radiators only. A new radiator is more reliable than a patched one, and it's covered by our installation warranty.
Can a cooling problem affect my A/C?
Yes. The A/C condenser sits in front of the radiator and shares the same cooling fans, so a failed fan or an overheating engine often makes the A/C blow warm in traffic.
How often should coolant be changed?
Follow the interval in your owner's manual. It varies a lot by vehicle and coolant type, and long-life coolants go much longer than older green coolant.