A car radiator is the chief component of the engine cooling system. Modern car engines are water cooled. The water circulates inside the engine and absorbs the heat dispersed by the engine. The hot water then makes its way into the radiator core. The core is equipped with a fan which cools the water down. Once the water is cooled, it makes its way back into the engine to once again absorb the heat.
This ensures that an internal combustion engine doesn’t overheat or blow up. Radiators have a specific useful life and need to be replaced after that. They begin developing certain issues that can hinder the ability of your cooling system to cool the engine efficiently.
Let’s look at the top three problems that radiators develop over time:
Transmission Cooling Compartment
Cars with automatic transmission have a special type of radiator. It not only cools the engine but also the auto transmission. There is a separate compartment within the radiator through which the transmission fluid passes to cool down. If this part leaks, the transmission fluid will mix with the coolant and water. This is damaging not only to the engine’s cooling, but to the transmission itself.
Clogged Core
The core of a radiator is the compartment which allows water to pass through it. This compartment cools water. If the core gets clogged, it won’t allow water to pass through. If the water is not circulating within the engine, the heat won’t be distributed. Once this happens, the engine will begin overheating to extreme temperatures. It may even blow up the engine, resulting in expensive repairs.
Leaking Radiator Tank
The radiator tank holds the coolant and water mixture. Modern radiator tanks are usually made from plastic, whereas older models used metal tanks. This tank at times does leak and doesn’t hold water in it. If the water level is low, the engine won’t be able to cool efficiently. This again may cause the engine to overheat.
These are the three most common reasons for radiator replacement. Do you have a radiator problem? Contact us today for an estimate for repair – 704-821-3460.