The radiator is the heart of the cooling system. Well, actually, it’s better to equate the heart with the water pump because it is the part that circulates the coolant. This being said, your car will not maintain a normal engine temperature without the radiator.
The radiator is located in the front of the engine directly behind the grille. This location helps the radiator with its primary function, which we will discuss below. The average lifespan of the radiator is 8 to 10 years, although some radiators can last longer.
Cools Off the Coolant
The primary function of the radiator is to cool off the coolant. The radiator uses both air inlets called fins and a fan to ensure the coolant’s temperature is reduced after it has circulated through the engine. The coolant moves through the engine and draws in the heat that the engine is producing. This keeps the temperature below the maximum of 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the coolant has circulated through the engine, it returns to the radiator where air blows over it via the fins. This is why the radiator is located directly behind the grille. It uses the outside air to cool off the coolant. Unfortunately, after about 10 years, the fins can be damaged or clogged and this will prevent them from reducing the coolant’s temperature.
The radiator also uses a fan that you hear turn on and off while the engine is running. The air circulation through the fins stops when you stop. As such, the radiator continues to cool the coolant by turning on a fan that will work until you start moving again. This two-step method ensures you always have cold coolant moving through the engine to draw away heat.
Stores the Coolant
Another thing a radiator does is store the coolant. The coolant is also stored in the overflow reservoir. When you start the engine and it begins to heat up, the thermostat releases the coolant into the engine through a valve that it opens. As we mentioned above, the water pump then circulates the coolant through the engine like your heart circulates your blood.
The coolant travels through the engine to pull away heat and store it in its liquid. This makes the coolant hot by the time it returns to the radiator. As you have learned, the radiator reduces the coolant’s temperature and the whole process starts over again. If anything goes wrong with the process, your car will overheat.
If it has been more than 30,000 miles since your last cooling system service or your car is overheating, call us to schedule a service appointment.