No one wants steam coming out from under the hood or have coolant pouring to the ground. Overheating can be just an inconvenience or a catastrophe, depending on where you are and when the overheating takes place. With a properly designed cooling system, overheating shouldn’t be a problem. However, making sure you have a working radiator is important for having a proper cooling system. If you need a new radiator, consider international pickup truck radiators and read these tips to make sure you choose the right one.
Symptoms of a Bad Radiator
Besides overheating, there are some other symptoms that signal you may need to replace your radiator. Coolant leaks are also another sign of a bad radiator because of cracks or breaks in the hoses or another part of the radiator. Another symptom of a bad radiator is the color of the coolant. Coolant is normally yellow or green, but impure coolant will have a rust color.
Types of Radiators
There are different types of radiators to choose from. A crossflow radiator has a tank that is located in the right and lefts sides of the tubes. The water pump will help move the coolant across the tubes. These are widely used in many different automobiles because of the design. Downflow radiators have tanks that are located at the bottom and top of the tubes. These radiators are generally for large spaces. If you are trying to replace your radiator, it is recommend to go with the same type of radiator. If you change the radiator type, then additional adjustments will need to be made when installing the new one.
Measuring for a Radiator
Measuring for a radiator means you need to check the dimensions. Begin with the radiator’s height and go from top to bottom on the side, which has the top hose outlet. This will show you the greatest height of the radiator. The width will need to be measured from the outside edge of one tank to the outside of edge of the other tank. When measuring the thickness of the radiator, you can figure out how many cores are in the radiator. This is an important number when fitting a radiator. You can eliminate the guesswork of measuring if the you have the model and make of the car, but you need to make sure the hose outlets will work for your needs.
Tips for Radiator Maintenance
In order to maintain your radiator, make sure to change the coolant out regularly to prevent your radiator from failing too soon. You can find changing intervals in the owner’s manual. Cleaning the dust inside the radiator can also help extend its life. When changing the coolant, be sure to inspect the radiator hoses and other parts to look for damage. Properly maintained international pickup truck radiators will last longer.
