What Does a Car Radiator Do?

The radiator essentially acts as the exhaust of your cooling system, dispersing coolant across its many fins to release harmful heat from the engine into the surrounding air before returning to the motor once again. Without it, the cooling system would be unable to release trapped heat and would inevitably overheat, eventually causing irreparable damage to your engine

What is a Radiator?

In most vehicles, the radiator sits at the very front of the vehicle behind the grill, allowing outside air to flow over its fins and disperse the excess heat into the surroundings.

Coolant is pushed from the water pump through the various components of your powertrain, trapping heat and moving it away from sensitive metal parts that could experience damage or cracking from the heat. Once this coolant has accumulated thermal energy, it needs to be cooled down to a lower temperature so it can be returned to the engine to draw away more heat. 

How Do Radiators Work?

This temperature management is the job of the radiator, which distributes the warm coolant over a large surface area on its fins. The radiator is exposed to outside air at the front of the vehicle, which passes through the fins and draws the heat out of the coolant. From there, the same coolant is then pumped back through the system once again. This process occurs continually as you drive, keeping the many sensitive internal components of the motor at a safe temperature.

Common Radiator Problems

As such an important component in your vehicle, you could imagine that even the most minor of issues can have large ramifications. Some of the most common problems seen in radiators include:

Corroded/Leaking Radiator

One of the most common problems we see in radiators is coolant leakage due to corrosion, impacts, or simply old age. As they’re located at the front of the vehicle, radiators are constantly exposed to moisture, contaminants, and debris from the outside which can lead to cracks or holes in the radiator assembly, allowing coolant to leak. As coolant is able to exit the loop, your cooling system will be left with an inadequate amount of coolant to properly manage the temperature in your engine. 

Overheating conditions can quickly cause irreparable damage to your powertrain, taking as little as a few minutes to cause irreparable damage to the internals of your engine. If you notice your vehicle is running above its normal temperature, you should stop the vehicle immediately and have it brought to your trusted local mechanic. 

Clogs From Contaminants

Over time, the coolant in your cooling system will accumulate contaminants like moisture, dirt, and other debris, causing the fluid to gum up and create blockages within the narrow passageways. These clogs prevent the proper amount of coolant from reaching crucial components. This lack of cooling can rapidly cause dangerous overheating conditions in your engine and drivetrain. 

Leaking Radiator Cap

The cooling system is highly pressurized, increasing the boiling point of the coolant and preventing it from evaporating while keeping it in contact with the components of your motor. 

The coolant radiator cap is the most common cause of lost cooling system pressure since the rubber or silicone seal of the cap can wear down and allow for pressurized coolant to exit the system through the top of the radiator. 

The easiest way to check for this is to check the radiator cap itself. Before opening the cap, it’s important to wait for the vehicle to completely cool down as the pressurization can spew scalding coolant if opened too early. If you see visible nicks or damage on the cap, you should have it replaced to keep your cooling system properly pressurized and avoid loss of important coolant. 

Radiator & Cooling Services in Peoria, Illinois

If your vehicle is exhibiting overheating symptoms, or you notice a temperature warning on your dash, trust the expert technicians at Beachlers Tire & Automotive Center in Peoria for precise diagnostics and high-quality repairs! No matter the issue, our team has the experience and equipment to properly care for your vehicle’s cooling system and radiator. Give us a call today or schedule online!