Replacing a car radiator – this is how it’s done!

If engine temperature is constantly exceeding the ideal level, keeping the engine dangerously close to its boiling point, it is important to find the cause as soon as possible. Postponing this, unavoidably results in a burned cylinder head gasket. Read in this manual how get a car radiator under control when engine overheating before it is too late.

Operating temperature is essential

An engine must reach its operating temperature as quickly as possible and maintain it at a constant level in order to function adequately. The main reason lies in the properties of heated metal. All metal engine parts expand when heated. Temperatures caused by internal friction and more particularly combustion are very high.

All engine components therefore unavoidably expand. To prevent the heated engine from jamming, all parts have a certain clearance when they are cold. This clearance enables the so-called sliding fit as soon as the parts have optimally expanded at operating temperature. If engine would be cooled too much, causing it to remain below operating temperature, internal wear would occur sooner. Adequate temperature regulation is therefore essential to enable the engine to reach operating temperature quickly and maintain it at a constant level.

The cooling circuit of a car

A car with liquid cooling has two connected cooling circuits. The small circuit circulates coolant through the engine and a small piece of hose outside the engine, enabling the engine to attain operating temperature as quickly as possible.

The large cooling circuit includes the radiator as well as the expansion tank. The connection or valve between the two cooling circuits is the thermostat which is found at the point where three hoses come together. The thermostat is an automatic valve opening or closing according to the temperature of the coolant.

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The cooling phases of the car are:

If the engine’s warning signals are ignored for too long, it sooner or later destroys itself.

Looking for the cause of engine overheating

An engine overheating can have three causes:
– the engine is losing coolant
– the cooling circuit is defective.
– the cooling performance is insufficient

Loss of coolant occurs through leakage. Leakage can occur outward as well as inward. Outward leakage is easy to find: simply follow the entire cooling circuit. The conspicuously coloured antifreeze agent will show the damaged spot.

If there is a permanent coolant deficiency, but no leakage can be identified, the cylinder head gasket could be damaged. This will show by permanent white exhaust and excessive internal pressure in the cooling circuit. A sweet smell of the antifreeze in the interior indicates a defect of the interior heating.

The circulation can be compromised by a defective thermostat, clogging of the cooling circuit or a defective water pump. Thermostats can gradually cease to function. Fortunately their replacement is very easy. A diagnosis of a clogged circuit is difficult. Generally, the only option is step-by-step replacement of all hoses and conduits. The water pump should always be replaced according to maintenance schedule. This is a wear part with a rather specifically determined life span.

The cause of a bad cooling performance is generally a defective car radiator, which should be quite obvious:
– the radiator is damaged and dented
– the radiator is heavily corroded
– the cooling lamella (slats) are falling out.

If the car radiator is seriously damaged it should be replaced as soon as possible. For safety reasons the thermostat is replaced as well and the cooling circuit is thoroughly rinsed.

Replacing the car radiator

Replacing a car radiator is not difficult and spare parts are not as expensive as you would think. They are cheap enough to warrant their purchase as a new part. Makeshift solutions with used radiators from the scrapheap are not recommended.

1. Draining coolant Open the lid of the expansion tank or car radiator. The coolant is drained via the radiator. At its bottom is a drain plug. The water is collected in a bucket. Inspect the coolant thoroughly.

2. Inspecting coolant If the coolant is dirty brown and murky, it is contaminated with oil. The probable cause is a defective cylinder head gasket or a damaged valve. It the coolant has a rusty colour, insufficient antifreeze has been added. Antifreeze has a strong anti-corrosive function. In this case the cooling system should be rinsed until the water used for rinsing appears clean. Simply attach a garden hose to car radiator’s inlet. The corrosion must be completely washed out of the circuit to prevent it from causing further trouble. In case of rust in the coolant, the water pump and thermostat are replaced as well.

3. Removing fan Removing the car radiator is much easier if the fan has been previously removed. It is fixed adjacent to the radiator with four to eight bolts and easily accessible, although bottom bolts can only be accessed under the car.

4. Disassembling the car radiator The radiator is fixed with several accessible screws. Disassembly of the radiator should not last longer than half an hour. Always take care not to damage the mounting brackets. They are very difficult to repair.

5. Installing a new car radiator If rust has been identified in the cooling circuit, thorough treatment with cooling circuit cleaner in addition to rinsing is recommended.Now the radiator can be installed. The fan is installed as well and the cooling circuit is filled with water.   Be certain to always use the correct antifreeze. Using the wrong antifreeze can cause damage to gaskets and hoses! After installation of a car radiator and fan and filling the circuit with coolant, the system must be vented.

6. Venting the cooling circuit To vent the cooling circuit, run the engine with opened expansion tank and add water until the level remains constant. Depending on type of car, additional measures could be necessary. For correct venting of the cooling system you should always inform yourself about the requirements of the specific car type.

7. Testing the cooling system The cooling system is now tested with a test drive. The cooling circuit is functioning adequately when the operating temperature rises fast and maintains itself at optimal level. When the operating temperature has been reached, let the car run idle until the fan engages. Do not wait until a cylinder head burns. If the fan does not engage at the highest tolerance value of the operating temperature, switch off the engine and allow it to cool down. Subsequently, the fan needs inspection and repair. Radiator Thermostat now up from £4,05 Buy in our online shop ⇒

Safe driving with an intact cooling circuit

An intact cooling circuit, receiving timely maintenance considerably contributes to safe driving. Nothing is more diverting than having to constantly keep an eye on the operating temperature. In case of a car radiator replacement, thorough action is worthwhile for a durable solution. A new water pump, thermostat and fresh coolant make the car fit for many years of care-free driving.

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