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It is ironic how many car breakdowns occur due to a malfunctioning radiator in Nigeria despite the fact that it is one of the easiest tasks to handle.

The radiator has a very crucial role to play in the functioning of a car, as it is responsible for maintaining the engine’s temperature when it gets hot, due to the car being in motion. Some indications that point towards a faulty radiator include: when the water temperature gauge shows a temperature of more than 90 degrees Celsius, or when an acrid smell drifts from the bonnet along with steam.

Here I offer you a number of reasons why your radiator may not be in the best shape and what you can possibly do to fix it.

1. Insufficient coolant:

A coolant is a blend of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and water that helps in keeping the engine cool. The antifreeze, as the name suggests, keeps the water from freezing in winter or boiling in summers – a common thing in Nigeria with temperatures sometimes soaring to 40 degrees Celsius. When the coolant supply is low or dried out, the engine is likely to get overheated which will eventually cause a breakdown. Lower level of coolant may be caused by a leakage in the head gasket or even the heater core. In order to avoid this problem, the coolant level should be monitored at least once a month (I check mine every morning) and renewed when the radiator is serviced once a year.

2. Obstructed Radiator:

The radiator is prone to getting clogged up due to grime, dead bugs or small fragments of rocks etc, which further prevent the airflow leading to a worked up engine. The clogging can be seen as you lift the car’s bonnet and can also be checked with the help of an infrared thermostat (which most of us in Nigeria don't have but should be in our tool boxes). A simple yet effective way is to open the radiator cap when the engine is cool and check if the fluid has any brownish stains; it would indicate contamination.

3. Heat Transfer Material:

In the past, copper and brass materials were used to build radiators, but in recent times, these materials have been substituted by aluminium core with plastic tanks which are considered more cost-effective, light-weight and thus more convenient. Moreover, aluminium is further suitable for heat transfer and hence you should replace your old car’s core material with it, for better results.

4. Radiator Cap:

It is rarely realised, but if a car’s radiator cap has a glitch then it could also lead to the engine’s overheating. In case the cap has not been tightly placed or turned, it will lead to coolant leakage thereby hampering the radiator’s functioning. The cap is also set in place to maintain the right level of water pressure, which can be affected if the cap is not set properly.

5. Thermostat:

The car’s thermostat is a controlling device that regulates the temperature and forms a very significant part of the radiator. When the thermostat gets blocked, it becomes difficult for the hot water to flow to the radiator for cooling, which will result in the car getting overheated. If taken care regularly, a thermostat is considerably simpler to manage and is also the most likely cause of a car breakdown.

Most of them are taken off used vehicles in Nigeria because mechanics don't see the use for them. So please note - removing the thermostat will prevent your engine to reach its optimum operating temperatures. Engines are designed to work at their max potential when they are all warm and toasty. Optimum operating level means your engine oil being at its best viscosity, your engine hardware at its best temperature so it generates less friction, your charge (mixture of air and fuel) being ignited at the best temperature to extract as much bang from it as possible (otherwise you’ll get bad fuel average from your car), and a host of other things. Running your engine without a thermostat will, for a lack of better word, ‘over-cool’ your engine, and that is big no. This can seriously harm your engine and reduce its life by increase in premature wear and tear of its components. Trust me, I know. I have personally killed an engine like that.

Have your engine pressure tested from a good mechanic/workshop if it’s overheating and keep that small yet very significant part of your engine where it belongs… inside the engine!



Source: http://carworldng..com.ng/2016/02/how-to-keep-check-on-your-cars-radiator.html

good

Very good post. Better than celebrity poos everywhere

Nigerians always quick to remove thermostat

But most kazeems advice u remove d thermostat as it is a cause of overheating. Reason our weather is hotter dan oyinbo weather. How true?

haywhy2323:
But most kazeems advice u remove d thermostat as it is a cause of overheating. Reason our weather is hotter dan oyinbo weather. How true?

Anyone who removes his/her thermostat is worse than the Mechanic. Our weather is ni where hit as Navada or Utta.