If you drive a lot, one of the problems you’re likely to encounter is an overheated engine. Just like how the human body needs sweat to cool down, the automobile engine also needs a cooling mechanism – more so when the engine is operating in a hot environment. This is where radiators come in. The flat fin radiator is a type of radiator where “pins” are spread across the engine to cool it down. Since these radiators fight off heat every day, they are easily subjected to wear and tear. Here are some tips for you to detect if your radiator is already having problems:
Don't wait for your car to overheat while you're on the road, be aware of signs that your radiator is not performing its job.
Showing posts with label coolant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coolant. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Detecting Problems with Your Flat Fin Radiator
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Radiators: How hot is too hot? | Automotive Parts Suppliers
We often have that notion that the hotter the engine is, the better its performance will be; that’s why many of us warm-up our engine first before going for the drive. Well, it’s true that for engines to perform at its optimum best, it has to be hot. But there’s also a maximum temperature for that efficiency; anything more than that, heat will start to deteriorate the engine and you’ll end up with an overheated engine.
Can't take the heat? So can't your engine. Keep your engine at the right temperature with the help of an Evercool radiator.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
5 Radiator Myths Busted — Automotive Parts Suppliers
With the deluge of information available to people today, it’s difficult to tell which tidbits of info are true and which are merely myths. When it comes to your car and its maintenance, we have to get our facts straight and not just rely on what others say.
Small but terrible enemies from the inner recesses of the car universe
Bugs can’t chew through your radiator like radioactive monsters from comic book hell can. What can do damage though, is when 25% of your radiator becomes their sacred burial ground. This accumulation can indeed cause your cooling system major damage. You can easily fight these creatures with pressure washer, and don’t worry, they won’t haunt you.
Tiny leak, not a problem!
Don’t be in a hurry to dismiss this and wait until you’ve got “time” to address this issue as this tiny hole can become a massive big pain! Small holes can easily become bigger or much worse, it can be an indication of a more severe problem in the cooling system. Allowing fluid levels to run low will make your life miserable especially in the summer months. Remember, any small problem left unchecked always becomes a big problem, as this may result to bigger repair costs or replacement of parts. Be preventive rather than curative because being curative never focuses on the root of the problem and is a black hole for your hard earned cash.
All Antifreeze/ Coolants are made the same
Being a cheapskate is only good for those quirky fads (like beer mug eye glasses), but never on the essentials. You must learn to sort out parts that you need to invest on and those that you can forego on quality, like patent leather seats. Cheaper coolants do not offer the same additives like corrosion protection, sediment prevention or PH balancing like those of top- quality. A cheaper coolant can evaporate more quickly causing you to use more of the product and in the long run, cost you more.
No need to change a radiator cap that’s still working
Or is it? Your radiator cap needs to be replaced over time as it is exposed to extraordinarily high temperatures and is expected to maintain pressure inside the radiator at the same time. These caps have seals and springs to ensure proper pressure is maintained, but these seals and springs can corrode and crack over time. If these are faulty, think about what might happen if the pressure is unnecessarily released – it would be like a shaken can of soda bursting out of its seams. Keep these seals, springs and cap in working order or it can be devastating to your entire system. Always check your cap whenever you add coolant to your car.
Slow down when overheating in traffic
This is something straight out of the Myth Busters’ page. Revving the engine slightly can actually help push more air across the cooling cores when see the telltale signs of overheating are present, therefore pushing more coolant through the engine and conclusively cooling your engine.
It pays to know your facts. Always do your research and cross- reference before biting into that piece of cookie.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
How to Extend Radiator Life — Automotive Parts Suppliers
Nothing is permanent in this world. Everything has an expiration date, even chocolates. Some women even go great lengths and store make-up in the fridge just to get that extra mileage for their cosmetics. The same rings true for your radiator – extra care must be taken in order for you to extend its life. Most mechanics agree that a properly maintained radiator should last for at least 8 to 10 years. Older metal radiators can even outlive the car! However, modern radiators are mostly made of plastic instead of metal, and plastic expands and contracts as the radiator heats and cools. Over time, this action may cause cracks but even so, it is rare for this to occur in less than a decade.
The key to prolonging radiator life is understanding why the radiator is there in the first place. Your car expends a lot of energy in the form of heat, and this heat can cause serious damage to the other parts of the car if not kept at a certain level. This job is not for the radiator but for the coolant system, which pumps coolant (usually mixed with ethylene glycol also known as antifreeze) through the engine to absorb the heat. Then, after it is heated, it goes to the radiator to be cooled and emitted into thin air. This process cools the water and antifreeze mixture, which goes back to the engine for another cycle. So if your radiator is not working in tip-top shape, your car would eventually overheat and the engine would destroy itself.
The key to this puzzle is the coolant because it is the mixture that can effectively cool the engine. Water alone cannot do that as you know that water can easily be heated and can render no effect to the cooling process. Try to regularly flush the coolant system and replace the old with new fluids, or as often as your car maker suggests. If you frequently find the fluid level is not where it is supposed to be, this might be a sign that you have a leak. If you do have a leak, pour radiator sealant into the radiator and allow it to settle in the hole. Make sure to check in with your friendly neighborhood mechanic if you notice more severe symptoms.
Take good care of your radiator and it will surely serve you well.
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