Specifically, you’ll find that the radiator helps to keep your engine coolant at a level that is – well – cool! It drafts in the air over your inner piping to help keep things at a healthy temperature.
But How Does it Work in Practice?
The name ‘radiator’ can be confusing if you’ve never driven before, as it is so much different to a home heating system. You’ll typically find metal piping that makes up your central radiator, generally built-in conductive material such as copper or aluminum.These pipes, sometimes called cores, have individual gaps; this is where the cold air from outside will drift through to cool things down. You’ll also find header tanks in this system, where the engine coolant in question leaves via hosing. There’s a separate hose system in these tanks, connecting directly to the engine; Which means that there is a to and from system which never mixes. Your engine receives the final coolant product once it has been transferred via the radiator to reduce heat. You may often be able to top up the radiator yourself if you have a cap system in place. However, you might instead have a car radiator that is easy to top up through a header tank and hose.
You’ll generally find that the radiator sits towards the front of the engine and is mounted carefully inside the front of your car. There’s usually a fan component between your radiator and car grill, which blows external air from the outside across the pipes or cores.
These parts are generally easy enough to spot in their casing. In most cases, nowadays, you will find that electric motors drive fans. It’s the most efficient way of keeping things moving! You’ll normally need to power the fan through your belts or motor.
Problems You Might Face
Of course, it’s worth keeping an eye on your car radiator. You might notice that problems arise with this part of the system if it is leaking or if hoses are starting to wear down.
Commonly, you will find steam billowing out as well as coolant puddles emerging if there are inherent problems with your car’s radiator system.
Maintaining your radiator is vital over time. Generally, your dashboard will light up and tell you if there is anything major which needs fixing.
However, if you find issues with the temperature switching or the fan – and even the motor – get it all seen at a service center! You need your radiator to help keep things moving at an excellent and efficient pace.