Understanding Your Car’s Radiator
Your body has a natural cooling system that keeps the temperature at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. It might fluctuate up and down a few degrees, but never very far. If you spike to 150 degrees, you’ll die (actually, you’ll expire long before then). Your car’s engine is similar. While you’re driving, the combustion process creates a substantial amount of heat, raising the temperature around the engine. If it gets too high, the pistons and cylinder can literally melt. The radiator functions as the cooling system. In this article, I’ll explain the basics of how it works and some of the auto parts involved.
How It Works
Just like your body can’t drop below a certain temperature, your vehicle’s engine has to maintain a certain amount of heat to perform well. Your radiator ensures that happens. It’s a large contraption with tubes that carry coolant. The tubes deliver the coolant to various components that heat up while you’re driving. As it’s traveling around the different car parts, the coolant’s job is to absorb heat from them.
While this happens, a thermostat watches the temperature of your engine to make sure it doesn’t overheat. That thermostat manages the flow of the coolant based on the temperature. If it breaks or doesn’t work right, that’s a major problem. The flow of coolant can stop, allowing heat to build until your engine dies.
When It Fails
So, what happens when something goes wrong and your engine overheats? As part of your car’s cooling system, the first component to check is the thermostat. It rarely causes problems, but when it does, it impacts the entire system.
Second, check the coolant level in the reservoir. You’ll find the reservoir by following the hose that leads from the radiator cap. The tank is plastic and you’ll be able to easily see whether the coolant is low. If there’s plenty of it in the tank, check the cap and hoses to make sure there are no leaks. Next, inspect the radiator itself. Sometimes, it can collect debris and other particles that prevent it from properly eliminating heat.
Keeping It In Good Condition
The surprising thing about your car’s cooling system is that it’s fragile. It looks sturdy (especially since most radiators are constructed of aluminum), but a lot can go wrong with it. It can develop leaks or breakage, the coolant within can collect debris, or the thermostat can malfunction. To avoid an overheated engine, have your mechanic check the entire cooling system every couple of oil changes. It’ll cost a few extra dollars, but can go a long way toward preventing expensive engine repairs later.
