When buying radiator from the nearest auto parts store, be sure to understand the different types of radiators to get the perfect radiator for your car.
Radiators are an important mechanical component as they are solely responsible for maintaining the normal operating temperature of a vehicle. With time they can wear out and will cause all sorts of problems. Even though radiators physically look more or less the same but they differ significantly. Therefore, this guide aims to help you find the right radiator from the nearest auto parts store, should you happen to find yourself in a similar situation.
Types of Radiators
There are two popular types of radiators: Downflow vs Crossflow radiators.
Crossflow Radiator vs Downflow Radiator
A crossflow radiator is identified by two vertical tubes at each side with fins and cooling tubes. The water pump helps flow the coolant from the side of the inlet to the side of the outlet horizontally.
On the other hand, a downflow radiator consists of tanks that are placed horizontally at both the top and the bottom. The coolant enters and travels through the radiator’s top and down vertically to exit from the outlet. Since the coolant is traveling from top to bottom, the water pump is helped with the flow by gravity. This, as a result, allows the coolant to travel more efficiently.
Aluminum vs Copper Brass
Aluminum radiators have been around for a while and all the vehicles till the 1980s were fitted with the same material. However, as innovation made its way through, Copper Brass radiators came into existence for numerous reasons.
Copper brass happens to be a great conductor of heat. It is also comparatively weaker to aluminum. With that being said, radiators with Copper brass have tubes that are smaller in diameter to avoid ballooning or bursting. This is a big problem that limits the cooling capability of Copper brass radiators.
Meanwhile, aluminum radiators have tubes that are comparatively stronger and bigger in diameter as compared to Copper brass radiators. This allows a greater amount of coolant to be exposed during the heat exchanging process, resulting in more efficient cooling.
Another significant reason for Aluminum radiator being better than Copper brass radiators is the weight. Since aluminum is lighter in weight, radiators made from aluminum are at least 50% lighter than copper-brass radiators.
Symptoms of a Bad Radiator
If the radiator of your car is weak or bad, the following symptoms will show up:
- Your vehicle will overheat frequently as the radiator will not be able to efficiently carry out the cooling process.
- The hoses and pipes can wear out over time, resulting in the coolant to leak. In such cases, the radiator will not have sufficient water to perform the heat exchange process, resulting in overheating.
- Coolants are normally of green or yellow color. If you observe that there is rust or oil in the radiator, then you will need to get it checked by a specialist.
Conclusion
Similar to many components in a vehicle that require periodic service, radiators are not an exception. Regardless of the type you wish to purchase from the nearest auto parts store, you must maintain it by changing and inspecting the coolant every once in a while. This will protect your car from overheating and other problems that could significantly impact the life of your vehicle’s engine.
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