Car Radiator Information

The radiator's job is to keep the vehicle cool while the engine is running and the pistons are pumping. Should the radiator overheat or leak, the vehicle can smoke and sputter and will not run efficiently. This is important because regular car radiator repair and maintenance can prevent any serious problems from occurring. Here is how the radiator works. The radiator directs the heat away from the engine, which can prevent it from cracking. The radiator also has passages connected to fins, which keep heat away from the coolant and bypass the heat from the engine compartment. Hot coolant travels through the radiator and becomes cool, returning to the engine considerably less hot by utilizing heat transfer.

All components of the cooling system need to be kept in good working order for the process to work best at cooling the vehicle. This is important because there are many components to the cooling system such as: Gaskets, hoses, clamps, fans, water pumps, radiator, and coolant, which needs to be checked and maintained. If one part of the system is broken or not working, the engine could crack or melt and become severely damaged or nonfunctional. Checking the coolant regularly will signify if the system is working properly. Only check coolant levels when the engine is off and cold, using a level surface and looking into the filter by removing the radiator cap. If the vehicle is not cold when the coolant level is checked, hot liquid can fly out and burn anyone standing nearby. This can be performed at home, or with the help of a trusted auto mechanic.

There are tell tale signs to look for if the If the coolant level is too low or has overflowed. Seepage and bad hoses that look swollen or porous are evidence of this. Replace bad hoses immediately and check the heater hoses as well because if the system is leaking, the right pressure will not sustain coolant circulation. Make sure to also check for signs of crustiness on the hoses as well to ensure proper function of the coolant system.

Flushing the coolant regularly according to the vehicle's specific recommendations is key to a healthy radiator. Old coolant becomes corrosive and can damage or destroy the entire radiator, causing it to replaced. If the radiator is neglected for too long and regular maintenance is not upheld, the engine will then overheat and get very hot. This can cause severe damage and require an expensive emergency trip to the auto mechanic and possibly a new engine.