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Radiator-The Coolest Component of a Car
Car radiator is a type of heat exchanger, which helps to cool the engine by transferring heat from the hot coolant to the air blown where the hot air is blown out though a fan.
Car engine functions appropriately at a favourable temperature and when the engine is overheated, it starts affecting other component and inner mechanism of the car. A radiator is the primary feature of a car cooling system that allows the engine to perform well maintaining the right temperature.
Car engine functions appropriately at a favourable temperature and when the engine is overheated, it starts affecting other component and inner mechanism of the car. A radiator is the primary feature of a car cooling system that allows the engine to perform well maintaining the right temperature.
Functions of a Radiator
Most modern day car radiators are made of aluminium with tubes passing through the engine. These tubes transport liquid coolant all through out the engine and cool the car parts. A thermostat supervises the engine temperature and starts acting once the engine starts overheating.
A water pump is also fitted under the hood that carries a range of belts and hoses. These hoses help the coolant to circulate the engine and the belt allows the fan to spin. The radiator helps to transfer the heat that comes from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan. While the car is moving, the oncoming air through the car’s grill also accelerates the cooling process.
There is a wide range of temperatures at which the engine coolant is effective, thus it does not need to have a particular temperature to function correctly. A sensor records the temperature of the coolant every time it exits the radiator. If any malfunction of the engine arises such as leak or cut in the hoses, the temperature of the car reach an alarming level registered by the sensor indicating an immediate need to visit a mechanic.
A water pump is also fitted under the hood that carries a range of belts and hoses. These hoses help the coolant to circulate the engine and the belt allows the fan to spin. The radiator helps to transfer the heat that comes from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan. While the car is moving, the oncoming air through the car’s grill also accelerates the cooling process.
There is a wide range of temperatures at which the engine coolant is effective, thus it does not need to have a particular temperature to function correctly. A sensor records the temperature of the coolant every time it exits the radiator. If any malfunction of the engine arises such as leak or cut in the hoses, the temperature of the car reach an alarming level registered by the sensor indicating an immediate need to visit a mechanic.
Origin
Older cars were cooled by means of an air cooling system that directs hot air away from the engine's cylinder and cool air towards the engine via a strong fan. Initially, the car radiators were made of round copper or brass tubes that let the water to flow through them. Later some car manufacturers like General Motors brought slight change in its designed and replaced the round tubes with oval as they proved to be more efficient.
With the passage of time, the size of the engine too started growing and of course, the level of heat too rose. To control the heat, fan was fitted for a constant flow of air over the center of the car radiator.
In earlier days, the tubes used in the radiator were only half inch in width. The cars manufactured in 1940’s were experimented with larger tubes initiated by manufacturer like Ford. However, these larger tubes also required a thicker tube walls that will prevent the radiator cores from twisting due to pressure. This proved efficient but the radiator became heavier.
The innovation did not stop here, during 70’s and 80’s radiators started coming with multiple cores with several changes on the size and the wall thickness of the radiator tube. To make the radiator lightweight, some manufacturers also used plastic for radiators.
With the advent of new technologies, most of the car manufacturers replaced the heavy metals like brass, copper, and steel with aluminum to ensure lighter weight as well as toughness. Aluminium is today’s choice though it does not carry the quality of absorbing heat as copper or the excellence of corrosion resistance of brass.
With the passage of time, the size of the engine too started growing and of course, the level of heat too rose. To control the heat, fan was fitted for a constant flow of air over the center of the car radiator.
In earlier days, the tubes used in the radiator were only half inch in width. The cars manufactured in 1940’s were experimented with larger tubes initiated by manufacturer like Ford. However, these larger tubes also required a thicker tube walls that will prevent the radiator cores from twisting due to pressure. This proved efficient but the radiator became heavier.
The innovation did not stop here, during 70’s and 80’s radiators started coming with multiple cores with several changes on the size and the wall thickness of the radiator tube. To make the radiator lightweight, some manufacturers also used plastic for radiators.
With the advent of new technologies, most of the car manufacturers replaced the heavy metals like brass, copper, and steel with aluminum to ensure lighter weight as well as toughness. Aluminium is today’s choice though it does not carry the quality of absorbing heat as copper or the excellence of corrosion resistance of brass.
Radiator Trouble
Sometimes the failure in the thermostat results in overheating of the radiator that distress performance of the car and also increases the emission level. Overheating is often caused by coolant leaks. There are also chances of dirt and dust particle clogged in pipes leading to faulty radiator.
It is always better to check the entire cooling system like hoses, radiator cap and all plugs on regular intervals. Even if we have numerous latest and improved technologies making it way in the car industry we can’t ignore the reality that a car will always be man-made machinery which requires regular maintenance and care.
It is always better to check the entire cooling system like hoses, radiator cap and all plugs on regular intervals. Even if we have numerous latest and improved technologies making it way in the car industry we can’t ignore the reality that a car will always be man-made machinery which requires regular maintenance and care.
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