What Is the Purpose of a Car Radiator?

When an internal-combustion (gas) car engine runs, it releases heat caused by the combustion. Cars require a radiator to help cool the engine down. Without a functioning radiator your car engine could overheat, destroying the engine.

Function

A car radiator is a heat exchanger. According to the Auto Parts Corner website, this is accomplished by forcing a liquid into channels within the engine block. The heat from the engine block transfers to the liquid, which flows into the radiator. The radiator disperses the fluid and cools it with air. The air takes the heat that the liquid took from the engine block.

Features

The liquid pumped through a radiator is composed of ethylene glycol and water. The radiator itself is an aluminum box composed of thin tubes that disperse the liquid and route it from one side of the radiator to the other. The fluid flows into a hose and back to the engine.

Benefits

A radiator is the most important part of a car engine's cooling system, reports the Car Junky website. This prevents your car from incurring heat-related damage.

Maintenance

As with other car parts, radiators should be inspected every time your car is serviced. Other components, such as the thermostat and hoses, can adversely affect the radiator's ability to cool the engine if they malfunction.

Replacement

Radiators do not require regular replacement. However, a leaky hose, a rust spot or a pinhole can damage the radiator, resulting in prompt replacement.

References

• Auto Parts Corner: Radiators
• Car Junky: What Your Car Radiator Does