Radiators are the heart of your car’s cooling system. They circulate coolant around the engine to pick up heat and carry it away from the internal components of the car, releasing it into the air. This is necessary to ensure the materials and parts of the engine can continue to move freely without expanding too much and causing the engine to seize.
A radiator will fail for a few reasons:Corrosion: If not maintained properly the radiator can degrade due to corrosion, especially if the coolant is not changed regularly. As the inside of the radiator corrodes, little pieces can break off and begin to get stuck leading to blockages which reduce the efficiency of the radiator at cooling the engine.Physical Damage: Throughout its life, a classic car will wear down through physical damage. This can be caused by accidents, dirt and gravel kicked up from the road, or mishandling of components during maintenance. Physical damage can puncture hoses, create cracks, and weaken the radiator in many ways, and through this damage, coolant can leak and reduce the engine’s ability to cool itself.Ageing Materials: Probably one of the most common issues is the older materials used in classic cars deteriorating over time. Copper and brass are common in old radiators and these metals are less resilient to high temperatures, temperature fluctuations and environmental changes, which can lead to their deterioration over time.Sediment Build-Up: Another form of blockage can come from sediments and mineral deposits from the coolant accumulating inside the radiator. As these sediments accumulate, they can block the radiator reducing its ability to cool and causing radiator failure.
How to Know if a Radiator Needs ReplacingNow we understand some of the factors that contribute to radiator failure, what signs should we look out for to know if our radiator needs repairing or replacing?Overheating Engine: One of the most obvious signs will be an engine that is constantly overheating. If the temperature gauge is showing high readings or the engine is emitting steam whilst running then this could be a definitive sign of radiator failure.Coolant Leaks: If there is a leak it will be visibly pooling under the car when left to stand for some time. You may find coolant leaking into the engine bay and gathering on the floor. As the coolant level lowers the car’s ability to cool is compromised, eventually leading to radiator failure.Discoloured Coolant: Rusty or discoloured coolant is a sign of corrosion within the radiator. Coolant is colour-coded based on the additives and particular vehicles it should be used on. If the coolant is not its regular colour or has turned the colour of rust, this is a clear indicator that sediment has built up inside the radiator.Frequent Coolant Top-Ups: If you find yourself constantly refilling your coolant levels, this is another clear indicator that there is a leak somewhere and the radiator needs repairing or replacing.Visible Damage: Performing frequent inspections on your car is always recommended to check for signs of visible damage. If you have any bent fins or punctures, then the radiator has been compromised and wants to be repaired and maintained as soon as possible.
