Cooling radiator: common defects and their signs

1. Clogging of core.
   • Increasing of engine temperature.
   • Leakage of cooling liquid.
2. External soiling of engine radiator.
   • Engine overheating.
   • Excessive consumption of cooling liquid.
3. Depressurization.
   • Leaks on the car radiator and the engine.
   • Appearance of vaporous smoke from under the hood.
   • Appearance of antifreeze specific smell.
   • Boiling of anti-freeze during fast driving.

How to repair or replace cooling radiator?

The radiator is the main element of the engine cooling system, that is why it is very important to check the cooling liquid temperature indicator on the dashboard. This will help to timely detect signs of the radiator defect and prevent cooling system breakdown.

Repair of the engine cooling radiator is quite difficult and ineffective in most cases, because it decreases functionality and reliability of the part. So specialists recommend to perform replacement of the broken component. Actions sequence may have different peculiarities for cars of various models. It is recommended to check out car technical documentation before replacement of the component. But basically, you need to follow this algorithm:

1. Install the car on a platform or a lift.
2. Drain antifreeze into a bin, prepared in advance.
3. Disconnect all pipes and auxiliary parts from the radiator; possibly the fan with its housing will also require demounting. If space of the engine compartment allows to demount the radiator together with the fan, it will be better to disconnect them after demounting.
4. Disconnect all fastenings of the radiator and remove it.
5. Install a diffusor and the fan onto a new part and perform assembling in the reverse order.

Replacement of the radiator on a car is performed only after engine cool-down.

It is advised to perform cooling radiator replacement at a service station.
Check pipes and hoses of the cooling system and replace them if necessary.
Fill the system with new cooling liquid after cooling radiator replacement.

Types:

1. By presence of an air-conditioner in the car:
   • for cars with the A/C;
   • for cars without the A/C.
2. By cores assembling technique:
   • assembled;
   • solid welded.
3. By cores construction:
   • with tubes;
   • with tubes and fins;
   • with tubes and plates;
   • finned;
   • honeycomb.
4. By core material:
   • steel;
   • copper;
   • brass;
   • aluminum.