Radiators, constructed of aluminum, are much lighter today than they was years ago, when they were made primarily from copper. They also last longer. Under normal circumstances, the assembly can be expected to last for a decade, which means most drivers will never need to replace it. If you drive an older vehicle, however, it's a different story.
Replacing the assembly is a relatively simple job compared to changing the fuel injectors or replacing the steering rack. If you have good instructions, a few tools, and approximately three hours, you should be able to handle the work on your own. Below, we'll provide the steps. Before we do so, however, we'll quickly explain the radiator's role, and describe a few reasons the part can fail.
The Assembly's Role In Your Car's Cooling System
The cooling system is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat, and carries it through a series of rubber hoses en route to the radiator. Because the engine operates at a high temperature, it would quickly overheat without this fluid.
The radiator is designed with a network of small tubes. These tubes are equipped with fins that allow heat to dissipate. As the heated coolant travels through these tubes, air blows across the assembly from the front of the vehicle. There is usually a cooling fan mounted in the front to increase airflow. As absorbed heat dissipates, the temperature of the coolant decreases. The fluid then flows back through the cooling system to the engine to pick up more heat.
Reasons Radiators Fail
Failure of the assembly can be due to several variables. In most cases, the inside of the part becomes corroded over several years when coolant is allowed to break down. This occurs when the fluid is left unchanged.
Coolant is designed with special chemical agents that help to prevent corrosion. After years of use, the fluid breaks down to the point it becomes depleted of these agents. It begins to corrode the inside of the assembly, eating through its hull.
Another possible cause of failure is structural damage. Here, the radiator develops cracks when the front-end of the car shakes or vibrates. The cracks, which usually appear near the hose connections, allow coolant to leak out of the cooling system.
In areas of the country that are exposed to freezing temperatures, radiator damage can also stem from frozen coolant. The fluid freezes inside the assembly and expands, causing the hull to crack.
Can The Assembly Be Fixed?
Depending on the problem, it may be possible to repair the radiator rather than replace it. Given that a new assembly will cost up to $150, this may be a good option if the issue is small. For example, if a crack has developed near the hose connection, you might be able to correct it by soldering the aluminum. You can also try adding a liquid sealer to the system, though it is only useful for very small cracks. For most other problems, you'll need to replace the assembly.
Steps To Replacing The Radiator
Before you begin, disconnect the battery to prevent a fire. Then, find the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Position a bucket underneath, and pull the plug. This will drain the cooling system.
Next, detach the hoses along the top and bottom of the assembly. Then, remove the bolts that are holding it in place. Tilt the radiator to drain the last of the coolant to prevent making a mess. Once the fluid has been completely drained, lift the component out of your vehicle, and set it aside.
The next step is to install the replacement. Make sure the supporting bolts and brackets line up properly. If the new assembly is positioned poorly, there is a greater likelihood of structural damage down the road.
This is a good time to examine the condition of the hoses in the cooling system. They are designed with a rubber material that can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to high temperatures (such as coolant with absorbed heat). If you notice small fissures appearing on the surface, replace them.
The radiator is crucial to your engine's longevity. If problems develop, fix or replace the assembly as soon as possible.
Replacing the assembly is a relatively simple job compared to changing the fuel injectors or replacing the steering rack. If you have good instructions, a few tools, and approximately three hours, you should be able to handle the work on your own. Below, we'll provide the steps. Before we do so, however, we'll quickly explain the radiator's role, and describe a few reasons the part can fail.
The Assembly's Role In Your Car's Cooling System
The cooling system is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat, and carries it through a series of rubber hoses en route to the radiator. Because the engine operates at a high temperature, it would quickly overheat without this fluid.
The radiator is designed with a network of small tubes. These tubes are equipped with fins that allow heat to dissipate. As the heated coolant travels through these tubes, air blows across the assembly from the front of the vehicle. There is usually a cooling fan mounted in the front to increase airflow. As absorbed heat dissipates, the temperature of the coolant decreases. The fluid then flows back through the cooling system to the engine to pick up more heat.
Reasons Radiators Fail
Failure of the assembly can be due to several variables. In most cases, the inside of the part becomes corroded over several years when coolant is allowed to break down. This occurs when the fluid is left unchanged.
Coolant is designed with special chemical agents that help to prevent corrosion. After years of use, the fluid breaks down to the point it becomes depleted of these agents. It begins to corrode the inside of the assembly, eating through its hull.
Another possible cause of failure is structural damage. Here, the radiator develops cracks when the front-end of the car shakes or vibrates. The cracks, which usually appear near the hose connections, allow coolant to leak out of the cooling system.
In areas of the country that are exposed to freezing temperatures, radiator damage can also stem from frozen coolant. The fluid freezes inside the assembly and expands, causing the hull to crack.
Can The Assembly Be Fixed?
Depending on the problem, it may be possible to repair the radiator rather than replace it. Given that a new assembly will cost up to $150, this may be a good option if the issue is small. For example, if a crack has developed near the hose connection, you might be able to correct it by soldering the aluminum. You can also try adding a liquid sealer to the system, though it is only useful for very small cracks. For most other problems, you'll need to replace the assembly.
Steps To Replacing The Radiator
Before you begin, disconnect the battery to prevent a fire. Then, find the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Position a bucket underneath, and pull the plug. This will drain the cooling system.
Next, detach the hoses along the top and bottom of the assembly. Then, remove the bolts that are holding it in place. Tilt the radiator to drain the last of the coolant to prevent making a mess. Once the fluid has been completely drained, lift the component out of your vehicle, and set it aside.
The next step is to install the replacement. Make sure the supporting bolts and brackets line up properly. If the new assembly is positioned poorly, there is a greater likelihood of structural damage down the road.
This is a good time to examine the condition of the hoses in the cooling system. They are designed with a rubber material that can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to high temperatures (such as coolant with absorbed heat). If you notice small fissures appearing on the surface, replace them.
The radiator is crucial to your engine's longevity. If problems develop, fix or replace the assembly as soon as possible.
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