WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR CAR RADIATOR?

 

 

A vehicle gets its power from its engine. The engine burns fuel and creates energy from its many moving parts. This of course, generates a tremendous amount of heat. It is therefore very important to vent this heat from the engine during operation to avoid overheating which can result in severe damage to the engine.

Enter the radiator, which helps to eliminate excess heat from the engine. A radiator is part of the engine’s cooling system. Also included is a liquid coolant (green), hoses which circulate the coolant, a fan, a thermostat to monitor the temperature of the coolant.

Steinway Auto Repair, an auto repair mechanic in Astoria , regularly inspects our customers’ vehicles radiator hoses, radiator and elements of its cooling system. For your edification, here’s a bit on the cooling system and how it works.

 

Overview of how the cooling system works

The cooling system uses a mixture of water and coolant. Coolant has a high heat capacity and is circulated through the engine to absorb heat.

The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine and the radiator. It is typically driven by a belt connected to the engine.

The radiator is a heat exchanger located at the front of the car. It consists of tubes and fins that facilitate the transfer of heat from the coolant to the surrounding air.

In many cars, an electric or mechanical fan is used to enhance airflow through the radiator. The fan helps dissipate heat from the coolant when the car is not moving or when additional cooling is required.

The thermostat is a valve that regulates the flow of coolant between the engine and the radiator. It remains closed until the coolant reaches a certain temperature, at which point it opens to allow coolant to flow to the radiator.

The engine has passages and channels through which coolant flows to absorb heat generated by the combustion process. The coolant picks up heat as it circulates through these passages.

The water pump circulates heated coolant from the engine to the radiator through the upper radiator hose.

As the hot coolant flows through the radiator, heat is transferred to the surrounding air, cooling the coolant. The now-cooled coolant returns to the engine through the lower radiator hose to absorb more heat.

The thermostat continues to regulate the flow of coolant, ensuring that it maintains the engine at an optimal operating temperature. An expansion tank or overflow reservoir is used to capture excess coolant that expands when the engine is hot. It allows for the contraction and expansion of coolant as the engine temperature fluctuates.

The importance of the radiator and its maintenance

As can be seen from the above, the radiator plays a vital role in the cooling process of the engine on your vehicle. It prevents your engine from overheating and damaging your vehicle. So, a radiator that is low on coolant or a leaking radiator hose can cause your radiator to malfunction. As an auto repair mechanic in Astoria, we recommend having your radiator and radiator hoses checked periodically by a professional mechanic to prevent any damage or wear.

A malfunctioning thermostat, mechanical issues with the fan, or a faulty pressure cap that cannot pressurize the system, resulting in an overflow of coolant are all other possible radiator failures to include. In any of these cases, the engine can overheat, resulting in severe damage.

To avoid costly repairs, be aware of the signs of radiator failure such as:

• An unusual rise and fall in the instrument cluster temperature gauge
• The sight or smell of smoke coming from under the hood of the car
• Any amount of green liquid (coolant or antifreeze) collecting under the vehicle
• Visual evidence of rust on the components of the cooling system 

A professional mechanic should examine the cooling system and radiator if any of these symptoms become apparent. At Steinway Auto Repair, an auto repair mechanic in Astoria, we regularly work with vehicles that have radiator or cooling system issues.