Radiator: Description and Operation

The radiator performs the function of cooling the coolant which has passed through the water jacket and become hot, and it is mounted in the front of the vehicle. The radiator consists of an upper tank and lower tank, and a core which connects the two tanks. The upper tank contains the inlet for coolant from the water jacket and the filler inlet. It also has a hose attached through which excess coolant or steam can flow. The lower tank has an outlet and drain cock for the coolant. The core contains many tubes through which coolant flows from the upper tank to the lower tank as well as to cooling fins which radiate heat away from the coolant in the tubes. The air sucked through the radiator by the electric fan, as well as the wind generated by the vehicle's travel, passes through the radiator, cooling the coolant. Models with automatic transmission include an automatic transmission fluid cooler built into the lower tank of the radiator. A fan with an electric motor is mounted behind the radiator to assist the flow of air through the radiator. The fan operates when the coolant temperature becomes high in order to prevent it from becoming too high.