What Does A Car Radiator Do And What Can Go Wrong? - Carbuyer

The majority of car owners spend very little time under the bonnet. When you do lift it to check on fluids, you’ll know how hot an engine can become after a run. This is because it’s essentially creating hundreds of miniature explosions per minute, which as you can expect, generates a lot of heat.

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A car’s radiator is specifically designed to dissipate this heat and allow your engine to continue running smoothly at its optimum temperature. But how does a radiator work? How do you know if your radiator is leaking? And if it is losing water, how much does it cost to fix? Read on to find out.

How does a car radiator work?

Your car’s radiator is part of a larger system that works to keep your engine running as it should. In most modern cars, this system comprises a thermometer, a water pump, cooling fans and the radiator itself. The thermometer constantly assesses your engine’s temperature and indicates to the water pump when coolant fluid needs to be circulated through the engine. This is pumped via hoses into and through the engine, and then finally towards the radiator.

Although a car radiator’s purpose is quite different to those you may find around your home, the way it functions is in fact very similar. In principle, the radiator utilises a slatted design to maximise surface area; this is because the greater the surface area, the more heat that can be dissipated. Fluid passing through the radiator therefore loses its heat quickly, with the cooling fans that are usually mounted behind the radiator speeding up the process further. Once it’s reached a lower temperature, the coolant exits the radiator and heads back towards the thermometer, ready to begin the process again.

How can I tell if my car’s radiator is leaking?

Leaking is one of the most common problems you can face with a car radiator. Leaks can be caused by a multitude of reasons, including exposure to extremely cold weather, impacts from debris, a faulty radiator cap, worn water pumps and radiator hoses, and head gasket failure. Although it may seem a relatively minor issue, if a leaking radiator is left it can have disastrous repercussions for your engine. Drivers should keep an eye out for:

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