Fixing a Leaky Plastic Radiator

With the right tools, fixing a leaky plastic radiator is an easy way to remedy radiator issues while waiting for a replacement radiator to arrive. The first step, of course, is to locate the source of the leak.

The most obvious sign of a leak is steam erupting from a certain area on the radiator. If you don’t notice anything of this sort, wash the radiator and the hoses clean, fill the radiator up and wait for it to dry, then start the engine. Pressure buildup in the system will make leaks appear as wet spots on the radiator.

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Signs Your Car Radiator Needs Replacing

Exposed to heat, thermal expansion and compression, water, corrosive chemicals, and other damaging factors, a car’s radiator is subject to a high risk of failure. A basic understanding of the warning signs that the radiator in your vehicle is about to fail can help you address the issue before it becomes a much bigger problem.

Leaking Coolant

A puddle of coolant in your garage or on your driveway may indicate a cracked radiator. If you chance upon one of these puddles under your car, a test performed by a professional mechanic may be warranted to determine where the leak is originating from.

Overheating

If your vehicle develops a habit of constantly overheating, this may indicate a problem with the radiator. If you can’t seem to find any leaks, and the fluid levels in your radiator don’t drop, or you’ve checked the hoses and fittings for clogs, and you’re sure the radiator fan works, then a trip to your local repair shop for a radiator replacement may be just the thing it needs.

Murky, Sludgy Coolant

If, when flushing your radiator, you notice that the coolant you’ve drained out is rust- or oil-colored, then this is a sure sign of a rusty radiator. Once a vehicle develops this issue, a radiator replacement is almost certainly warranted—as no amount of flushing and cleaning can remedy a rusty radiator.

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The Advantage of Aluminum Car Radiators

Car technology has improved leaps and bounds over the years, leading to safer and more fuel efficient vehicles. No matter how advanced today’s automobiles are, however, one fact remains the same: all will succumb to overheating. Thankfully, all cars come equipped with radiators, a series of chambers where heated coolant is sent to be cooled down by a supercharged fan.

Strides in engine technology has made radiators more advanced too, with aluminum being the material of choice since the mid-80s. What are the benefits of an aluminum car radiator?

Lightweight Material

Aluminum is one of the lighter metals, making aluminum radiators easier to ship, install and replace. More importantly, it reduces the overall weight of your vehicle, which contributes to fuel efficiency, speed, and ease of steering.

More Efficient

Many argue that brass radiators conduct heat better than aluminum ones, which is technically true. However, what aluminum lacks in conductivity it makes up for with tensile strength, a property that allows larger tubes to be made. As such, more coolant can pass through at any given time, cooling the engine more efficiently.

Environmentally Friendly

Unlike paper or glass, metals can be recycled infinitely without diminishing their chemical properties. When it’s time to replace your aluminum radiator, it can be melted down and fashioned into another radiator or other aluminum products.

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