CAR RADIATOR

When a certain temperature is reached, the thermostat opens allowing liquid coolant to move through the engine transferring heat to the coolant from the engine block.

A coolant is a fluid mixture of chemicals including, corrosion inhibitors lubricant and in some instances antifreeze, that allows heat to be absorbed while raising the boiling point. The coolant passes, gathering the heat as it flows through specific engine components, preventing overheating. The hot coolant then returns to the radiator, where it is cooled by air flow entering the engine compartment before returning to the engine to restart the process.

Coolant temperature is crucial because it helps maintain engine temperature, which reflects ideal performance. As it blows air across the coolant, the radiator cools. The radiator circulates coolant through thin metal fins, allowing heat to escape to the air outside your vehicle. In most instances, a fan may blow air across the radiator, moving hot air out of your vehicle.

Maintaining your cooling system by filling and flushing the coolant regularly, as well as monitoring for pressure issues and coolant leaks, will result in more efficient cooling. A well-maintained radiator should survive for many years, but there are some situations where the radiator should be replaced.

The temperature gauge is climbing unusually, smoke pouring from the hood of your car, the green liquid seeping from underneath your car, and rust in the cooling system are all indicators of a failing radiator. A leaking radiator could cause coolant and transmission fluid to mix, which is a significant issue.

A radiator is considered a type of heat exchanger. It is intended to transmit the heat generated by the hot coolant that flows through it to the air blown by the fan. If the radiator is unable to perform its primary function of exchanging heat, it may cause damage to certain components of your vehicle’s engine. If your vehicle is still not adequately cooled after maintenance, you may need a replacement radiator.

The radiator core is the radiator’s largest component and serves its primary function. It is made up of a giant metal block with small metal fins that allow the coolant to release heat into the surrounding air.

The radiator is the most important part of your car’s cooling system. Its primary function is to transfer heat generated by your engine into the air, preventing overheating and engine failure.

The cost of replacing a radiator varies with the make and model of the car. A typical car radiator’s average price is $150. Labour to remove and replace around $200 again, depending on the vehicle. Then you need to add coolant and any other parts that may require replacement, such as the radiator cap, radiator hoses, thermostat etc.

For research purposes, we rang four local mechanics and asked for a price to replace a radiator on a standard car. A VY Commodore 6cyl, prices varied between $330 and $420, including coolant. We then did the same thing with a BMW X5; the prices were unsurprisingly more expensive, as it is more time-consuming to remove the radiator on those cars. $575 was the cheapest and $795 the most expensive.

ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY!

While it’s best to add the OEM manufacturers recommended coolant, if you really must continue driving and don’t have a coolant mix, you can add water to the radiator to get you there. 

Driving with a cracked radiator can be hazardous since the engine may overheat. A cracked radiator prevents the required coolant from reaching the engine, resulting in overheating.

The essential role of a car’s radiator is to keep the engine from overheating and breaking down. The radiator is crucial to the cooling system since the automotive engine creates a lot of heat. In most cars, the radiator is positioned beneath the hood, near the front and next to the engine. The entire cooling system is made up of the radiator, water pump, pressure cap, thermostat, hoses and a cooling fan.