Used to disperse the heat which the coolant has absorbed from the engine, the radiator is a device that contains a vertical- or horizontal-finned tubing section connected between two tanks. They have been specifically designed to hold a large amount of water in tubes or passages which give a large area in contact with the atmosphere. This part is also a common term for several types of heat exchangers and is also used in building and in electronics. When you drive your vehicle, the engine thus makes enough heat capable of destroying itself, and the radiator is there to protect your engine from damage and within the correct operating temperature range.
By checking up on your radiator regularly, you could be able to see if it is still in good working condition. As vehicles age, they become candidates for cooling system troubles that could act up when least expected. As your vehicle?s engine is exposed over time to factors in its surroundings, these could prove to be the harm for your cooling system. Day to day driving could bring about the introduction of these elements to your engine. Salt from the ocean air, road salt, debris, and other chemicals break down the metal in a radiator core. These can be part of the cause of your vehicle to overheat and cause your engine to blow up.
What should be done in case your vehicle?s radiator heats up? Turning off the air conditioner would be first thing to do because by doing so, it will reduce the temperature of your engine. The A/C evaporator could be located in front of the radiator, and this also adds up to the air going to the engine. After doing so, turn on the heater and then set it on the highest temperature setting with its blower on the highest possible setting. By doing such, it cools the engine down through the transfer of heat to the air. If in any case your radiator overheats while you are stuck in traffic, the best thing to do is pull over and stop. Opening the hood of your car would be necessary for it lets the engine cool off. The overflow tank coolant level should be checked. If you find it empty, then probably the radiator could be low on coolant. The pressure of the system should be checked and this could be done by wrapping a cloth around the upper radiator and squeezing it.
Auto Parts Online strongly recommends that you check up on your radiator from time to time. Opulent amenities, superb quality, and notable technology are what make up Auto Part Online?s auto replacement parts. It also strives to preserve these qualities in giving you only the best replacement parts, performance parts, OEM, and aftermarket parts.
Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
This article has been accessed 3 times since 2006-01-05.
