How Long Will My Car’s Radiator Last?
The radiator in your vehicle will wear down over time, but the exact number of years will differ depending on a whole range of factors, so it’s difficult to pin down. What is most important is that you take good care of your radiator to ensure it stays functional for as long as possible.
Make sure to have your coolant filled regularly, and avoid ever running water into the regulator, and it doesn’t sustain any external damage, then most radiators should last around a decade.
However, this doesn’t account for any damage the radiator might take over its use (see also ‘What Causes A Radiator To Crack?‘). The fins of the radiator may be bent or folded over such that it won’t work properly. It can also rust, causing irreversible damage, if you are using pure water rather than a coolant mixture.
There can also be a build-up of sludge and other detritus in the coolant system if you don’t maintain it properly, which will cause issues. With that in mind, a properly maintained radiator can last up to 10 years but may start having problems as soon as 3 years, and should be checked over regularly.
What Will Make My Radiator Fail?
Your radiator might get damaged should any other parts of the car’s cooling system fail, like the hoses that connect to it. These issues could lead to your radiator becoming damaged.
As an example, if a hose in your coolant system starts leaking, that means less coolant is being circulated through the whole system.
If there isn’t enough coolant circulating through the car’s systems, it will have a knock-on effect on the engine and radiator, which can be damaged due to the excessive heat, and become deformed.
Another thing to watch out for is debris or a build-up of sludge in the radiator, which will prevent it from operating properly and eventually cause serious damage.
The radiator can also be damaged due to corrosion from excessive exposure to water, which is why you should regularly service your cooling system and be sure to make sure you only use the right coolant for your car to maximize its lifespan.
One last thing to check for is stray currents. You should always check for stray currents if you are installing a radiator onto a car, as the electrical overcharge can wreak havoc on your car’s cooling system and be a serious hazard.
Stray currents are normally a result of improper installation of your car’s electrical systems, but can also be caused by fitting electrical accessories that are added after it’s been manufactured.
How Can I Make My Radiator Last Longer?
Make sure to keep your radiator well-maintained, and keep the cooling system free of detritus and other blockages to ensure it continues to run smoothly, and give it a longer life. Regularly service the cooling system, as well as any connected hoses to make sure they’re not blocked.
Be sure to replace any components that show signs of wear as soon as possible. Check your coolant level regularly, as often as you check your engine oil, as it will help you identify leaks early before they can cause any serious damage.
Try and get a car with a radiator constructed of copper, brass, or a full alloy to get the longest amount of time out of it. These radiators last significantly longer than ones made of plastic or aluminum.
A plastic radiator will change shape more as it heats up and cools down, expanding when it is hot and contracting when it cools down. This leads to the tanks becoming cracked and needing to be replaced.
You should also try to keep your annual mileage as low as possible. While this may seem obvious, the longer your radiator is on the more it will corrode, so be sure to manage it as much as you can.
Try to avoid driving too close to the ocean and other salty places, as the salt in the air will also accelerate the corrosion of your radiator.
How Can I Replace My Radiator?
If your radiator needs replacing, you should take it to a technician for repairs. There are specialist stores for replacing your radiator, and you should be sure to get advice from a qualified technician on what radiator is right for your car and how to ensure it’s the best quality.
Taking it to a technician will ensure that the radiator is safely and properly installed, so don’t risk doing it by yourself.
How Do I Know My Radiator Needs Replacing?
The easiest way to know if something is wrong with your radiator is by keeping an eye on your temperature gauge regularly.
If it is constantly running at a high temperature then that is likely indicating a problem with your cooling system or radiator, as the coolant in your car isn’t running where it needs to or isn’t sufficiently cooling down the car’s components.
If you don’t mind the temperature gauge or it’s broken, the next sign that there’s something wrong with your cooling system will be your engine overheating. This will be pretty immediately obvious as you will see smoke billowing out from under the hood of your car!
If this happens be sure to take the vehicle to a mechanic immediately, as this is not a safe condition to drive your car in.
Regularly check your coolant levels, as well. If you notice that it is running low quickly and often, that points to a leak somewhere in the cooling system that needs to be addressed.
Check the hoses that connect components for visible leaks, and if you can’t find any take the car to a mechanic to identify what the issue might be.
Remember to tend to your radiator regularly to make sure it’s running for as long as possible. No one wants to have to splurge out on having their radiator replaced, if possible, so be sure to do regular maintenance to avoid any surprise issues.
Should you find an issue, take it to the mechanic as soon as possible. The earlier you catch it, the easier and cheaper the fix will be!
