Know How to Maintain Your Radiator to Prevent Overheating!
Friends, you need to know that cars have three cooling systems. Cooling in cars can be done through oil, air, and water. The task of all three is the same, which is to maintain the stability of the car's temperature. If the car's temperature is too high, the engine will apply cooling.
Usually, modern cars use a cooling system through water. This system will not work well without a radiator. Surely, you have often heard of a radiator.
However, do you already know the function of the radiator? You can recognize the function of the radiator through its components and how it works. What are they, roughly? Then, how do you maintain it? Let's discuss the following.
Radiator Components
The radiator requires an inlet for the coolant. Before entering the center, the coolant will be stored in the upper tank. This component is located at the top of the radiator. This component can also be divided into two parts, namely the radiator cap and the reservoir line.
The radiator cap is the component that controls the temperature of the water, while the reservoir line is the component that serves to channel the radiator water to the reservoir tank in case of excess pressure. The reservoir tank serves to hold the radiator water.
The next component is the center of the radiator. The center of the radiator consists of flat and elongated pipes. The flat-shaped pipes can accelerate the release of heat. In addition, these pipes also connect the upper tank with the lower tank.
The lower tank itself serves as a container for the cold water that has been processed in the center of the radiator. After being stored, the cold water will be channeled to the car's engines through a pump.
The cooling fins are zig-zag shaped fins located between the center of the radiator. Hot temperatures will be channeled through the cooling fins, then the fins will dissipate that heat into the air.
How the Radiator Works
First, high-temperature water enters the upper tank. That water will be channeled to the radiator and cooled with the help of the radiator fan. The water that has undergone a temperature change will then flow to the lower tank.
The thermostat, a valve that can open and close automatically with changes in temperature in the engine, will open and channel cold water to the car's engines.
Radiator water is very important to prevent overheating symptoms in cars. You need to know that overheating can cause engine failure! To address this, radiator water should be replaced regularly, at least after your car has traveled 20,000 KM.
There are other things you need to check regarding radiator water. You must ensure that the radiator cap is tightly installed.
This cap can become loose due to damaged rubber or being used for too long. A loose radiator cap can cause the radiator water to run out faster than usual.
In addition, you also need to ensure that all components do not have leaks in the pipes, hoses, or even the pump. Leaks in these channels can cause the cooling system to not work optimally.
It could be that the engine continues to heat up without you knowing. Meanwhile, the radiator fins should also not be leaking!
The thermostat valve must always be clean. The valve should be free from dust, even rust.
Finally, the last thing you can check is the radiator fan. The rotation of the radiator fan may weaken due to Carbon Rush that has started to run out, connections that are too small on the relay leg, or thinning coupling fluid.
Well, don't forget to check the health of your car's radiator water at your favorite workshops. You can also check it independently. However, don't push too hard! It's best to ask those who are more knowledgeable and experienced.
Read also: Good Car Radiator Water
