Radiator Replacement: How to Determine If You Need One

The process of radiator replacement entails draining the old radiator, detaching any parts holding it in place, removing it, installing the new radiator, reinstalling any parts removed, and adding coolant. 

As uncomplicated and hassle-free as it may sound, it can take an entire day for radiator replacement, but with patience and care, it can be accomplished. 

We have provided you with a top-level guide that offers general repair advice about radiator replacement, the how's, dos and do nots! There are slight differences between vehicles in terms of the requirements for this type of work. If you would like detailed information about your specific vehicle, you may consult this guide. In case you have questions about this process, feel free to stop into any nearby workshop to get more information on the process of replacing a radiator. 

Radiator – What and Where. 

Before we answer the “HOWs” it is essential for us to know what a radiator is and where is it located.  

Keeping your engine cool is the responsibility of your radiator. During the combustion process, a specially formulated coolant fluid is pumped throughout the entire engine of your vehicle where it absorbs any excess heat created by the combustion process. Once the coolant has been warmed up and moved to the radiator, it is chilled using small, finned tubes. These are then sent to the airflow in front of the car, or by a radiator fan if the car is stationary to be cooled down by the airflow. This is followed by a second round of the process.  

In order to ensure continued performance, radiators should be inspected frequently and flushed occasionally. In the absence of it, your engine may overheat and fail, requiring costly replacement. 

In your car, the radiator is found at the front of the engine compartment, behind the grill. This is where it is most likely to benefit from the flow of air in the compartment to ensure that it can keep the engine cool. It is likely that you will find this cap on top of a thin tank just behind the hood latch. This is when you open the hood of your car in order to check the radiator. Never touch that when the car has been running for any period of time. In the event you are not familiar with this part of the vehicle, you may suffer a severe burn hazard due to the near boiling contents under pressure. 

It is possible to visually inspect the coolant level without touching anything in most modern vehicles because they have opaque plastic reservoirs. The minimum and maximum levels should be indicated by lines. As long as the fluid is between those two points, you should be fine. 

How to Determine if You Need a New Radiator? 

There can be a great deal of concern when you discover your radiator is malfunctioning. But how do you determine whether the radiator is to blame? Several signs should be looked for: -  

1. An overheating radiator is usually the first symptom of a problem. Be prepared to pull the car over before the needle reaches red on your temperature gauge, if you notice your engine is too hot. If you do not cool down your engine quickly enough, driving with an overheating engine can cause significant damage to your engine. 

1. In addition, if you see something dripping under the front of your vehicle, your radiator might need attention. The presence of any type of fluid leak in your vehicle is a problem that should not be ignored. A leak in your radiator or another system in your car that requires fluid could be responsible. Any leak should be dealt with as soon as possible, whatever the cause. As you can see, those hydraulic fluids have an important job to perform that is not getting done if they have been depleted. 

1. Last but not least, discoloured radiator fluid can indicate a malfunctioning radiator. The fluid could be clogged with rust if rust has mixed with the fluid. Whenever you notice discoloured radiator fluid, we recommend visiting a service centre to get the radiator flushed and perform a full diagnostic. 

What Causes a Radiator Damage? 

With that in mind, we know you are wondering, “what causes radiator damage?” Here is what does. 

1. Corrosion: There are only a few potential causes of car radiator leaks. Radiator corrosion is the most common cause. A radiator's hoses or hose connections can become blocked with sediment and rust over time, leading to holes.  

1. Poor Service Practices: Radiators can also be damaged by poor service practices, though this should not be an issue if they are serviced by radiator professionals.  

1. Malfunctioning Thermostat: Additionally, a malfunctioning thermostat or heating core can cause overheating and pressure on the radiator. 

1. Low Coolant Level: At the service station, make sure the radiator is full and that the coolant is not discoloured. Whenever you are at the garage, have your mechanic check the fluid.  

1. Leaks: A radiator leak is routinely detected when mechanics change oil or do other engine maintenance. They are often caused by corrosion as well. 

If you have questions, talk to the mechanic, and ask about the radiator. Make sure to buy quality coolant. 

H3- Parts to Check When Suspecting  Damage 

Before you can run your vehicle down to a workshop, here are a few parts that you can check. Overheating, leaking or breakage of any of the below mentioned parts may result in the malfunctioning of the entire cooling system.  

• Heater core 
• Thermostat 
• Water pump 
• Hoses 

3 Parts that Suffer the Most Due to A Bad Radiator 

Your car's radiator actively dissipates heat generated in the cooling system. A thick layer of scale forms on the radiator walls as coolant runs through its internal passageways. Debris running through the cooling system may also cause a blockage to develop in those tight radiator tubes. A radiator's cooling abilities drastically decrease when this happens. 

A failing component in a cooling system can cause failures in other components as well. After the radiator wears out, three parts stop working: the thermostat, the water pump, and the heater core. The following information explains what each of these parts does and what happens when they malfunction. 

Water Pump 

Pumps move coolant through cooling system hoses and passageways continuously using an impeller. Plastic impellers are typically found in water pumps. Abrasions and other damage will result if any contaminants or tough debris break away from the radiator. It is also possible for high temperatures to damage plastic parts if the radiator stops cooling the fluid before it passes through the impeller. Coolant flow speed will be disrupted by breakages in the impeller (the rotating part of a centrifugal pump). 

Thermostat 

A malfunctioning radiator can put too much pressure on the thermostat, causing it to malfunction. A failed thermostat results in a stuck valve inside the unit. The engine will overheat immediately when the thermostat is closed. By touching the radiator hoses carefully, you can determine whether the thermostat is stuck closed. There will be a difference in temperature between the top and bottom hoses. In an open thermostat, the engine will not reach operating temperature, which reduces gas mileage. 

Heater Core 

It is possible for scales and debris to end up stuck in the heater core's small tubing if they break loose from the radiator piping. 

Moreover, excessive pressure and temperatures occur on the heater core when the radiator fails, causing the engine to overheat. As the heater core begins to leak, you may notice your car's windows fogged up or your front floorboards feeling wet. 

“Can I Fix My Own Radiator?” 

The process of replacing a radiator is not too difficult, but make sure to follow our instructions to avoid creating any unnecessary havoc or causing any damage to the system. However, it is highly recommended to seek assistance of a professional while replacing or fixing a radiator.  

1. Identify: Identify where the leak is. An overflowing reservoir, a loose drain valve, or a leak in a hose could all cause the leak. 

1. Determine: The second step is to determine the severity of the problem. A severe leak occurs when the coolant runs out of the car instead of dripping slowly. If the hose or reservoir has large cracks, inspect the leaky area closely. 

1. Initial Solution: A radiator leak stop can plug up small holes in the cooling system. For minor radiator leaks, overflowing reservoirs, or hose leaks, a radiator leak stop is often the most effective solution. It is easy to find this product at any auto part store or you can order it online. Before using them, read the instructions carefully. To stop leaks in a car, pour the leak-stop product into the radiator. Before you open the clamp, let the radiator cool down. 

1. Solution: If your car seems to be facing a bigger issue which is more than just a mere hole then you must rush to your nearest workshop. 

It is vital to monitor the car coolant levels and the condition of the radiator to avoid unforeseen situations like an engine blowing up and to keep your car safe. Remember to check the temperature gauge of your car, especially during summers. You should also perform a coolant flush regularly to keep the radiator in good condition. Examining the surface beneath the radiator often also helps.  

Remember, you must always do a regular car radiator check because, with time, your vehicle gets old and so do the components in your car. Remember to check the temperature gauge of your car, especially during summer.