Old Age Can Cause a Radiator to Malfunction

There are various reasons for radiator malfunction, but usually, a common culprit is simply aging. Considering the heavy use of the radiator as well as the fact that it is exposed to the elements at the front of the vehicle, it is only a matter of time before it begins to malfunction. Radiator maintenance can prolong its life span, but problems begin to arise after about 5 years for many vehicles. What follows are a few common problems usually found with radiator malfunctions.

Rust and Corrosion Can Make a Radiator Fail

Rust is usually the greatest reason for a radiator to fail over time. There are various chemical reactions that can cause rust to start forming, salt and humidity are other factors. When rust starts to form, it will slowly decrease the radiator’s capabilities until it finally breaks down completely. You will notice a slow and gradual increase over time in the temperature of your engine. Rust is not a problem that immediately causes the radiator to break. If you notice rust forming on the exterior of the radiator, there are ways to remedy this, however, if rust begins to form on the inside, it is only a matter of time before the rust takes over.

Faulty epoxy and solders are often reasons for a radiator’s failure.

Epoxy joins your radiators seem together and are often undone by extended use. Solders attach the fins to the tubes themselves and are rather delicate which makes them prone to malfunction. Both the epoxy and solders can be viewed, and if inspected a faulty or failing one can be fixed. However, noticeable problems may not arise until more than one give out. The reason is that there are numerous points for the epoxy and solders, so a single spot may not noticeably reduce the cooling of the radiator, but it does put stress onto the other functioning parts, which then makes them more prone to malfunction.

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