Dannys Radiator -Basics

Upper Radiator Hose and Thermostat
# A large part of a radiator's function is made possible by the upper and
lower radiator hoses. The upper radiator hose controls the flow of engine
coolant from the radiator into the car engine. In a cold engine, engine
coolant is stored inside the radiator. The engine coolant is held inside the
radiator until the engine becomes hot enough to warrant engine coolant
circulation. When an engine reaches operating temperature, the
thermostat valve, which is located at the far end of the upper radiator
hose, opens up and allows engine coolant to flow from the radiator into
the engine.

Lower Radiator Hose and Water Pump
# As engine coolant circulates within a car's engine, it returns to the
radiator via the lower radiator hose. The lower radiator hose provides the
only connection for engine coolant to reach the radiator. The lower
radiator hose, which is connected to the car's water pump, speeds up the
flow of the circulating engine coolant and helps it to cool as it circulates
through the radiator at high speeds.

Engine Coolant
# Engine coolant, otherwise known as radiator fluid, is a specially
formulated liquid designed to retain as much heat as possible from a car's
engine while maintaining its chemical integrity. Unlike plain water, which
can either boil or freeze quite easily, engine coolant resists both
extremes, which not only protects the radiator but also the car's engine

Cools Engine Coolant
# A radiator is repsonsible for dispersing, or radiating, the heat
from circulating engine coolant or water. The temperature of a
car's engine is controlled by circulating engine coolant that
picks up heat generated from engine combustion and
transports it directly to a car's radiator, where it is cooled and
then returns to the car's engine. Without the radiator, a car's
engine would quickly overheat and fail. The radiator, which is
filled with small chambers and galleys through which engine
coolant circulates, disperses the heat from the coolant into the
outside atmosphere with the help of the radiator fan, which
blows supercharged air directly through the radiator itself. The
radiator fan, which is mounted directly in front of the radiator, is
controlled either by engine power or by electronic control.
Many car's have radiator fans that operate continuously; other
car's have radiator fans that operate only when certain
temperatures are reached.