The radiator is an important part of your automobile’s engine. It needs to be serviced every 30,000 miles to make sure it doesn’t get clogged. This also allows us to inspect the radiator to make sure the bottom is not rusty. The radiator stores the engine coolant so it can be released into the engine when the engine starts to get too hot. The circulating coolant draws heat away from the engine to keep the temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature rises above this number, your engine will overheat.
Stores the Coolant
The radiator’s job is somewhat cyclical. As we mentioned above, it stores the coolant until it is released into the engine. As the coolant circulates through the engine, it gets hotter and hotter. The job of the coolant is to absorb the engine’s heat so that the engine stays cool. As such, you need cool coolant circulating through the engine at all times. Once the coolant has circulated through the engine, it returns to the radiator where it rests so it can cool off. This reduction in temperature is crucial to prevent your engine from overheating. Hot coolant cannot cool down the engine.
Uses Air Inlets
The radiator allows the coolant to rest in it so it can cool down. It also uses inlets that are called fins to draw outside air in to flow over the coolant. This is one reason why the radiator is located directly behind the grille. It needs the outside air to reduce the coolant’s temperature. The radiator will allow the air to blow over the coolant before it is released back into the engine.
Uses a Fan
In addition, you probably hear a fan turn on and off while you are driving your automobile. This fan is the radiator fan, and it, too, blows air over the coolant to reduce its temperature. The fan works tirelessly to make sure that you end up with cold coolant circulating through the engine when the radiator releases it. This dual system works well to cool off the coolant.
Releases Cool Coolant
Once the coolant temperature is cold again, the radiator releases it into the engine so it can flow through the engine again to draw the heat away from it. As we mentioned above, this process is cyclical and goes on the entire time your engine is running.
If it has been over 30,000 miles since you have had the radiator and cooling system serviced, call us right away to schedule an appointment for your automobile.