Without a radiator, your car, SUV, or truck would overheat quickly after you start the engine. The radiator is made of aluminum because it is sturdy yet lightweight. The radiator’s primary purpose is to keep the coolant’s temperature cold so it does not overheat. If the coolant overheats, your engine will overheat. Let’s talk more about this below. Before we get into the conversation about the radiator’s job, it is important to have the radiator serviced every 30,000 miles to get the most years out of it.
It Reduces the Coolant’s Temperature
Okay, as we mentioned above, the radiator keeps the coolant cold. As the coolant is circulated through the engine by the water pump, it draws heat away from the engine and absorbs it. This, naturally, increases the coolant’s temperature. This being said, it also reduces the engine’s temperature to keep the overall temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
The radiator has a fan and fins on the side of it to reduce the coolant’s temperature. When you are driving, the air flows through your vehicle’s grille and then the radiator fins to cool off the coolant. When you are sitting and idling, the fan turns on to ensure the coolant does not remain too hot. Both of these things keep the coolant’s temperature normal.
It Stores the Coolant Until It Is Needed
The radiator also stores the coolant, as does your radiator’s overflow container. The coolant sits in the radiator until it is needed. When it is needed, the thermostat opens a valve that releases the coolant into the engine. As we mentioned above, the water pump circulates the coolant through the engine to ensure the entire engine does not overheat.
If your engine is overheating, you may need to replace the radiator. The radiator could be clogged or leaking, or the radiator fins could be clogged or damaged. In addition, if the radiator fan is not working, the coolant’s temperature will overheat and overheat your engine. All of these things work together to prevent the coolant from overheating.
You can tell if your coolant is overheating by touching the radiator hoses. If they feel hot to the touch, you’ve got hot coolant flowing through them. The best thing to do is to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop if the temperature gauge rises above normal.
Do this right away to avoid damaging your engine, as an overheating engine can crack the engine block or head gasket. We will inspect the cooling system and repair the problem.
