Step by step guide on how an automotive radiator works, this information pertains to most cars.
Step 1 - An automotive radiator is at the heart of a vehicles cooling system and keep an internal combustion engine from overheating avoiding catastrophic failure. Radiators are manufactured in all shapes and sizes, depending on the space constraints and requirements of the vehicle's design. A large vehicle such as a truck will have a multiple-row high capacity radiator while a small vehicle will have a much smaller radiator with less capacity.
Step 2 - There are two different styles of radiators
used in the automotive industry; cross or top flow. A top flow radiator takes hot
coolant and cools it as it flows downward. All radiators have small coolant tubes
which have fins attached to them that act as heat syncs and dissipate heat through
convection and air flow through the front of the vehicle or a fan pulling air through
the radiator. The more fins per square inch, the more efficient the radiator is
at dissipating the heat and keeping the engine cool.
Step 3 - A radiator cap is used to add coolant
to the system and it provides an inspection port for maintenance purposes.
Step 4 - An overflow tube is used to transfer expanding
coolant into the coolant reservoir, and then allowing the coolant to transfer back
into the radiator once the engine has cooled down.
Step 5 - An upper and lower radiator hose is used
to transfer engine coolant to radiator and back into the engine.
Step 6 - When adding coolant use a small funnel
to avoid spillage. (Note: Always check coolant levels when the engine is cold.)
Step 7 - A pressure cap is used to maintain between
16 and 18 psi within the system to further aid the cooling systems performance.
For every two pounds of pressure inside the system the boiling point of the coolant
raises one degree.
Step 8 - Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission
use transmission fluid cooling hoses (inbound - outbound) that connect to the fluid
cooler built inside of the radiator.
Helpful Information Radiators consist of a few basic parts, two tanks and the core. The radiator
"tanks" located on the sides or top and bottom are used to attach upper and lower
coolant hoses. Vehicles that have tow options will sometimes incorporate an engine
oil cooler into the radiator to help keep the engine temperatures at a safe level.
Radiators come with different amounts of these tubes or “rows” as they are called
in the industry to support various applications. Old radiators are recycled cutting
down on heavy metals and environmental impacts. History Through the years materials used in the construction of a radiator have changed
dramatically. Older vehicles used a heavy brass construction, while newer vehicles
use an aluminum core and plastic tanks. Brass radiators worked well for years, but
material costs and the environmental impact of the materials used to solder them
together (lead mixtures) have phased them out, newer lighter designs are clamped
together with rubber gaskets. Radiators for performance applications are usually
custom fabricated to the application and are made of aluminum tanks and cores to
withstand the severe vibrations and heat. Maintenance Use a flashlight to look for leaks where the tanks attach to the core (center)
of the radiator; this is a common place for failure. Radiator tanks have a tendency
to crack or become brittle and break. Radiators as with all automotive replacement
parts come in a vast array of quality levels. A cheaper radiator will consist of
thinner plastic tanks and aluminum core which will fail prematurely. If a radiator
is leaking or plugged and needs to be replaced, this can usually be performed with
a minimum amount of tools. -
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