Radiator

Heat exposure would have dire effects on one's health, were it not for our body's built-in mechanism to help us endure it. Sweating helps regulate your body's temperature through evaporation. Likewise, car parts can also suffer when they are exposed to extreme temperatures. While it is normal for mechanical parts to generate heat during their operation, it is necessary to find a means to dissipate the heat and ensure the longevity of auto parts. In an engine, due to the burning of the air-fuel mixture, the operating temperature can be really high within the combustion chamber. The heat generated by the engine, when left untreated can deteriorate the engine itself. To regulate the operating temperature of all automotive parts, including your engine, there are cooling systems installed in almost all automotive systems.

For an engine, the radiator forms the chief part of the cooling mechanism. If there is a fault in the radiator, the entire performance and the life of the engine can be at serious risk. Since it is obvious that a faulty radiator will overheat the engine and affect its performance, any problem with the radiator, therefore, needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. While we are on the topic of fixing a faulty radiator/cooling system, there can be times when you will need to replace some parts in the radiator or the entire cooling system to bring your engine back to order.

How to Reduce the Cost of Replacing a Radiator

Once you have found and purchased the right, high-caliber replacement part for your radiator, you are halfway through fixing the issue with the affected part. Although there are a number of dealerships and other stores selling OEM and aftermarket replacement auto parts, purchasing auto parts online is the best choice as you can buy the same parts at cheaper prices. With that being said, it is also important to choose the right online store for buying auto parts that strike a balance between cost and quality. When you buy from BuyAutoParts.com, you can get the best of both worlds! It is not always true that high-quality parts cost more, at least to a certain extent. However, you can still have the option available when they are sold at discounted prices. At BuyAutoParts.com, we offer site-wide discounts from time to time, which you can utilize to keep your wallet from taking a hit. We also offer free shipping on all parts over $99 (all radiators should cost more than $99) and a one year, unlimited mileage warranty with all our parts.

How Does a Radiator Work?

Depending on the application, a radiator can either decrease or increase the temperature of the system it is employed in. It is common to use radiators to maintain warmth in homes during cold weather conditions. However, in automobiles, radiators are used to decrease the temperature of the engine. Similar to the steering fluid which forms a main component of the steering system, and the refrigerant which plays a key role in air conditioning systems, radiators use coolants to help attain and maintain the optimal temperature in the engine. The coolant is usually a mixture of water and ethylene glycol. The coolant also has other additives to prevent corrosion, erosion and cavitation in various engine parts.

Older vehicles used water to bring down the temperature of the engine. To improve the cooling performance in various temperatures, coolant were then introduced in automobiles. To endure the high and low climatic temperatures in which the vehicles are operated, coolants have high boiling points and very low freezing point temperatures.

The coolant, which flows around the various engine parts, is pumped by a centrifugal pump connected to the crankshaft. As the coolant flows through the passages in the engine, it takes heat away from it. The hot coolant makes its way out of the engine to reach the radiator. The radiator has a series of small tubes which allow the coolant to flow through them. To reduce the temperature of the coolant, air from outside is allowed to flow over the tubes in the radiator. For a more efficient cooling, a cooling fan also blows air into the radiator. Some radiators have turbulators within the tubes to enhance the cooling effect. The turbulence effect created by them ensures quick cooling of the coolant and the engine. The hot air from the radiator is let into the atmosphere.

The coolant which is now at a normal temperature again flows to the engine to repeat the cycle all over again. This process continues as long as the engine is running. Radiators, which were originally constructed from copper and brass, are now usually made of aluminum and plastic. Radiators are usually located behind the vehicle's grille. It is not necessary for the radiators to be employed all the time. Only after the engine attains a preset temperature, the radiator starts working. For this purpose, a thermostat is included in the radiator to monitor the temperature in the engine. Below this preset temperature, the coolant will not flow through the engine nor will the radiator work.

Common Problems with Radiators

For the radiator to function efficiently, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of coolant. The coolant can usually leak due to cracks in radiator tubes or other parts. Whenever you find your car's temperature gauge indicating a higher engine temperature than usual, check the level of coolant and then proceed to inspect the other parts in the cooling system. The engine oil also contributes to regulating the temperature of the engine to an extent. Therefore, the level of engine oil also needs to be at the right level for an engine to operate at any stipulated temperature.

Apart from the level of coolant, the quality of the coolant also needs to be taken into consideration. As the coolant flows through the passages in the engine, it collects impurities which can clog the radiator tubes over time. This can eventually cause the tubes to corrode. In the worst case scenario, continuous overheating can cause the complete breakdown of the engine. Just as the coolant can contribute to the failure in radiators, in some cases, the radiator can also cause the coolant to become contaminated. The rust that develops in radiator tubes can dissolve in the coolant, causing it to change color from its original yellow or green color.

If the radiator is continuously exposed to high pressure, the cooling tubes can break. If the radiator is made of plastic, it can get deformed at high temperatures. There can be problems with the other radiator parts such as the connecting hoses, thermostat, radiator cap or the reservoir, as well.

Regarding the symptoms of a defective radiator, the foremost sign is the overheating of the engine. The indications of overheating can be more pronounced when the vehicle is accelerating, while driving at high speeds or when the car comes to a halt after a long drive. Overheating can also be a result of electrical problems in the temperature sensor unit rather than the radiator itself. Usually, electrical problems will cause the car to overheat immediately after starting.

How to Replace a Radiator

Tools required: socket set, screwdriver, drain pan, funnel, and a pair of pliers.

Note:

• The replacement process for a radiator is generally very specific to the vehicle. The procedure explained below is a common method that is prevalently followed.
• Consult your vehicle's repair manual before you start replacing your radiator.

Warning: Do not replace the radiator when the engine is hot.

Step 1: Locate the radiator. Some radiators require raising the vehicle, while some can be removed with the vehicle parked, as such.

While replacing the radiator, check the condition of the hoses and look for any rust in any part of the cooling system. If you find any such indications, do not hesitate to replace the affected parts, as well.

Step 2: Open the radiator drain plug and collect the coolant in a catch basin. If your radiator does not have a drain plug, loosen the radiator hose to drain the coolant.

Step 3: Remove the hoses connected to the radiator. Disconnect the auxiliary belts, as well, if you feel you need more room for work.

Step 4: Remove the cooling fan and the radiator shroud.

Step 5: Remove the mounting screws, bolts, clips and other attachment points.

Step 6: Lift the radiator clear of the engine carefully.

Step 7: Install the new radiator. Please be careful with the cooling fins and hose necks, they are not to be moved.

Step 8: Replace the mounting hardware and torque them.

Step 9: Install the cooling fan, radiator shroud and cooling hoses.

Step 10: If you had removed the auxiliary belts, reinstall them and tension them properly.

Step 11: Now, mix the coolant and distilled water in the right proportions. Add the coolant to your radiator reservoir.

Step 12: Allow the engine to run for some time so that the coolant flows all over the system.

Step 13: Do not forget to bleed the air from the system as the final step; failing to do so can be detrimental to the cooling efficiency of your radiator.

Do not wait to get any replacements in your car done. Our parts are sold at cheap prices and will restore the original efficiency of your vehicle!

Best Selling Radiators! Shop for Discount Radiators & Replacement Radiators Now

Every radiator we sell is backed by our outstanding warranty - we're confident that your radiator will perform just like the original factory part. We sell genuine OEM replacements and premium aftermarket parts at unbeatable prices. Each of our radiators has been tested to meet or exceed industry standards, regardless of your car's make and model. To find the right replacement radiator for your vehicle, you just need to select the year, make and model of your car on our online catalog.

Every radiator order over $99 includes free shipping. OEM quality, cheap prices, and exceptional customer service - what's not to like about a radiator from BuyAutoParts.com? Every radiator we sell comes with our Exact Fit Promise - your radiator will install just like the old part, or we'll refund your money.

For help with your radiator order, or for any questions about any of our radiators, please give our radiator parts experts a call at (888) 907-7225?or email your questions to?[email protected]. You can also get live, real-time responses to your queries with a quick chat session.

Thanks for visiting BuyAutoParts.com. We can get your radiator order started today!

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