Car Mechanics | 3 Steps Involved In The Functionality Of Your Car's Radiator

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A radiator a vital part of your car because it cools down the engine and prevents it from overheating while you drive. The radiator works by transferring the heat to keep the engine cool. If the radiator is faulty, then you will need intervention from car mechanics immediately because your engine will stop cooling and will end up overheating or seizing. This guide is designed to help you understand the steps involved in the functionality of your car's radiator.

The Process Of Intake Of Coolant

The coolant typically flows through an inlet in your radiator system. The inlet tank of the radiator is either located at the top of the radiator or at its side. This tank distributes the coolant through tubes throughout the radiator to keep the engine cool. If you have a down-flow radiator, then the inlet tank is situated on the top, where a row of tubes passes downward through the radiator. If you have a cross-flow radiator, then the tanks are on the side, and the coolant flows horizontally to keep the engine cool. If these tubes get filled with sludge or debris, then they will block coolant from flowing freely through the radiator. A professional car servicing company will need to ensure that these tubes remain debris-free for optimum engine cooling.

The Process Of Cooling The Engine's Radiator

The radiator acts as a heat exchanger, as it transfers heat from the coolant to the air. The process of cooling in a radiator is governed by the movement of the coolant through the passages connected to the metal fins. These metal fins are either made of copper or aluminium. The heat is transferred from the coolant to the metal fins. The effectiveness of the cooling will depend on the amount of coolant touching the tube walls and the effectiveness of the fan blowing air into the radiator. If the fans are not blowing air properly, then a car service will need to check and fix your problem.

The Process Of Letting Out Heat

The outlet tank is housed on one side of the radiator. Here the coolant is stored till it is taken to the outlet hose. The outlet hose connects the radiator to the water pump and supplies the low temperature coolant back to the engine. In this process of dissipating heat, the radiator is pressurised, so that it operates at higher than atmospheric pressure. This allows for more efficient cooling and avoids evaporation. Regular maintenance and inspections from professional car mechanics will ensure that the outlet hoses and radiator pressure is well managed, so that you can benefit from a more efficient car engine.

Understanding the way a radiator works will give you more insight into your car's core functionality. If you notice your engine overheating, then something may be wrong with your radiator – be sure to seek intervention from professional mechanics to avoid irreparable engine damage. 

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29 March 2016

Critical Auto Service Tips for Business Travellers

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