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What happens if your radiator gets wet?

My friend was trying to do me a favor and washed my car for me… with the hood up. For now, I think everything’s working okay, but it’s making me wonder. What happens if your radiator gets wet?

avatar
Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yikes! Glad to hear your car seems to be working okay, though. If your
radiator
gets wet with a modest amount of water on the exterior, it generally shouldn’t cause much harm. It’s actually recommended you wash your radiator (using proper methods, of course) once a year or so to help keep debris buildup at bay.
Too much water can become more of a problem for the engine, where you might deal with problems like hydrolock, when the engine’s pistons stop moving and the engine stalls, along with other serious internal damage.
As you continue looking after your vehicle, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s protected with the right
car insurance
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