Role of the coolant
Prevention from being frozen
When the coolant liquid freezes up, the volume of liquid expands by approximately 9%. When a coolant temperature goes down in the winter season, it may destroy cylinder head and cores (canals) of engine and radiator respectively due to the excess in pressure. Therefore materials with relatively low freezing point are generally used for coolant liquid. Currently ethylene glycol is mainly used.
Prevention from getting rust
Various metal and nonmetal materials are used in cooling methods. When rust is generated from metal materials, it tends to block the coolant liquid flow in a radiator and the circulation of the coolant and results in the overheat. Therefore the additive with antirust effects is a must to be diluted in the coolant liquid.
Elevation of boiling point effect
The temperature of the coolant rises gradually in time for driving for a long distance as previously written. Particularly recent cars tend to be equipped with downsized radiators for space-saving purposes in the engine space usually under the bonnet. It leads to the fact that the temperature of engine rises faster than before theoretically. In the consequence the temperature of the coolant becomes higher as well. Therefore raw materials with high boiling point will be utterly necessary. Ethylene glycol has the boiling point more than 190 degrees Celsius.
The need of the courant exchange
Recent radiator enhances a heat radiation effect more efficiently, and very thin aluminum alloy is used for its efficiency and lowering the weight of radiator itself. Coolant liquid is diluted in accordance with JIS standards (35% of density, freeze temperature set to the Japanese Industrial Standards at minus 18 degrees Celsius).
Main ingredient of the coolant, ethylene glycol has one disadvantage. When proper ingredient gets mixed with water, a danger in being frozen increases, and the oxidation will be promoted. Therefore the antioxidant to prevent metal corrosion is added in coolant liquid in large quantity. Even if ethylene glycol gets heated, the additive evaporates as well. The coolant gets deteriorated by heat and the oxidation progresses in accordance with time.
Aluminum is violated with acid and begins to become loose for a long term while it is dipped in coolant liquid (Longevity of coolant liquid should not exceed more than 3 years). In the worst case scenario, a hole in a radiator will be born and it damages a water pump in the consequence.
Recent car is designed for extremely high-performance. It means that it is more exposed to the danger of overheat under severe circumstances. It requires more frequent check on the coolant liquid condition periodically. Especially in hot summer under the conditions of traffic jams and slow traffic, drivers need to pay more attention to the water temperature gauge to avoid sudden overheating problems.
■ 5 Benefits of changing coolant liquid
The benefits of having your radiator flushed are:
Removes Rust and Scale Deposit – Over time rust and scale deposits build up within the radiator. A flush helps to remove these deposits which get pushed out with the old anti-freeze. This is important since these build ups can cause overheating or even damage your radiator.
Lubricate the Water Pump – The additives in the coolant lubricate the vehicles water pump. This will lengthen the life of the water pump.
Removes Contaminants – Flush completely drains the system of the old anti-freeze which means that any contaminants that have made their way into the system will be flushed out as well. The additives in the coolant can lose important anti-corrosive properties over time which leads to the buildup of particles. A radiator flush will remove these particles from the system.
Inspection of System – Most places will perform a complete inspection of your cooling system when they do a radiator flush. They will use pressure tests to check for leaks in the system. This should be included in the price of the flush and if it isn’t it might be best to go somewhere else.
Protect Against Rust and Foam– The new anti-freeze will have additives that help prevent rust and build up. It will also prevent foaming in the system which helps it operate efficiently.
■ How Be Forward can help you?
We have more than 12,000 used radiators in stock to satisfy the needs of customers who are looking for as spare parts.
Please feel free to ask us for the availability.
