How to Repair a Radiator
By Shenron on Jul 07, 2010 with Comments 0
For better performance and working of the engine, radiator must be in best condition. Any leak or damage in the radiator will cause your engine severe damage by over heating, blockage and malfunctioning of many other parts. Radiator is the cooling system of your car and it keeps the temperature at optimum level. Over heating of the engine may cause damage to the other parts of the engine as well. This will lead you to expensive repairing process. To keep your radiator clean is the only solution to avoid major repairs. Regular maintenance of radiator is quite economical and rational than repairing or replacing damage parts.
Following are given some of the instructions for important maintenance and repair of radiator:
- Keep a regular check on he hoses and the coolant level. If you find any damage to radiator hoses or low level of coolant, take immediate steps to repair the damage and refill the coolant.
- If some pinholes develop in your radiator reservoir, you can use black pepper to prevent the leakage for short time. For that, let the engine cool enough before treating the radiator. Don’t try to touch the radiator when it is hot, it might burn your hand severely.
- Remove the radiator cap or filler cap and put a generous amount of black pepper in it.
- Start the engine and let it idle for some time. This will help to settle the pepper in the pinholes. Using pepper is not a permanent solution, it prevents leak for some time, while you take your car to nearest auto mechanic for immediate repairs.
- If the problem is with the rubber of the radiator, then pepper is not helpful. Once you locate the hole on rubber, make it dry completely. Take a duct tape, place a piece of duct tape on the hole properly and take more tape and wrap it on the hole firmly.
- If the radiator has gone empty due to leak, use water instead of coolant to keep the engine cool. Water is the best substitute for coolant. Flushing the radiator will also keep the radiator cool.
- Before flushing the radiator, make sure that you have all the required material with you, so that it won’t be a problem for you after draining the radiator. Flushing your radiator is easy, convenient and a lifesaving for your engine. Keep flushing the radiator at times to keep it free from oil and other pollutants to avoid any blockage or leak.
- To prevent your radiator from leak, blockage or damage, it is better to inspect the coolant level regularly. Whenever you find coolant level below the required mark add new coolant to it for better performance and results.
Filed Under: Guides/DIY