By
Terry Brown
Overheating
is one of the most common breakdowns that autos encounter during the
summer season. It happens when the temperature of the coolant
exceeds the normal operating temperature range of the engine.
Overheating has many causes. Idling under hot weather for prolonged
periods can wreak havoc on the cars cooling system, because the
water pump doesn't turn fast enough. Thus the coolant is not
circulated, as it should be. Sometimes a leak may cause the coolant
level to drop thus causing the radiator to overheat. Here are a few
pointers for dealing with an overheated radiator:
1.
Turn off the A/C. If the car is not seriously overheating, this will
reduce the engine's temperature. The AC evaporator is located in
front of the radiator, and it adds heat to the air going to your
engine. The hotter the incoming air is, the less efficient the
radiator will be.
2.
Turn on your heater (set on highest temperature setting, with blower
on highest setting). This will be uncomfortable for you, but it will
cool the engine by transferring the heat to the air. Roll down the
windows, and remember how 'hot' you'll get if your engine needs
replacement!
3.
If you're stuck in traffic, pull over and stop. Unless you're
moving, very little cool air reaches the radiator. Open the hood and
let the engine cool off. This takes time, so be patient. Use the
time to go get a jug of water or antifreeze.
4.
Check the overflow tank coolant level. If it's empty, the radiator
is probably low on coolant.
5.
Check the pressure of the system by wrapping a cloth around the
upper radiator hose and squeezing it. If it's still under pressure
(hot) it will not squeeze easily. Wait until it does.
6.
Place a large cloth over the radiator cap, and carefully release the
pressure. Serious burns can result from the hot coolant. If in
doubt, wait until the engine cools completely.
7.
If the coolant is low, start the engine, and slowly add the water or
coolant necessary to fill it up. The engine must be running. Adding
coolant to a warm engine can crack the block. By running the engine,
the coolant keeps moving and reduces the chances of this type of
damage occurring.
Radiators
are indispensable parts of any cooling system. They are designed to
dissipate the heat, which the coolant has absorbed from the engine.
However, like all auto parts, radiators are prone to damage and
corrosion. As it is mostly made of metal and is in constant contact
with liquids, radiators can break down over time due to corrosive
forces. Defective radiators can spell doom for any engine.
Irreparable damage can result if a malfunctioning radiator is not
repaired or replaced immediately.
If
your radiator needs to be replaced, you can find aftermarket
radiators that are more affordable but are nonetheless excellent in
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parts suppliers online such as Auto Parts Inner. You can find
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About
the author - Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an
enthusiast for anything auto related. He is currently employed as a
market analyst by one of the top car parts company in the area. His
automotive articles provide valuable source of information for auto
enthusiasts like him as well as to those in need of automotive
research.