What is a car radiator? 

Understanding what a radiator is in a car is useful for all car owners. Simply put, it’s a motor cooling system that manages the engine’s temperature by keeping it cool and preventing overheating.

What does a radiator in a car do to cool it down?

Understanding what a car radiator is is one thing, but how it operates can be confusing. The cooling fan of the radiator decreases the temperature of the hot coolant that enters into the coolant/antifreeze that passes through the engine. This transfer accelerates the rate at which your engine is cooled, maintaining an optimal temperature for your car.

Signs your car radiator needs repairs

Any issues with your car radiator are nearly impossible to miss and often start with steam rising from your engine. Common car radiator problems include:

• A leaky hose — The hose that circulates the coolant to and from the radiator might be split, cracked or have suffered general wear and tear and may require replacing. 
• Faulty thermostat — The thermostat controls the flow of coolant that enters the radiator. If it fails, it can cause the engine to overheat quickly.
• Cracked radiator — A bumpy car ride can crack your radiator, causing the steam to leak from your radiator. 
• Damaged water pump — Over time, a water pump will loosen and become unable to disperse the same water flow to move coolant around the engine.
• Faulty car radiator fan — The electric fan installed in newer models will cool the radiator at low speeds. A car overheating at low speeds is a sign the car radiator fan is no longer in working condition.
• Air in the cooling system — The car’s radiator is sealed to maintain the optimal coolant flow rate. Air entering the system will restrict the coolant’s flow, causing overheating. 

How to remove a car radiator

What happens if you notice your car exhibiting any above signs of overheating? In that case, you must immediately take your car to a professional mechanic to ensure the problem is properly dealt with to maintain your safety behind the wheel. If your car radiator needs replacing, you should only remove and replace it following your mechanic's advice.

You can take the following steps to learn how to remove a car radiator:

1. To safely open your car radiator, raise and support your vehicle with a car jack.
2. Place a drip pan beneath your engine to protect the environment, pets or children from the coolant’s toxicity.
3. Ensure your car engine is switched off and allow the engine to cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes — then, it will be safe to remove the radiator cap.
4. Squeeze the radiator hoses. If you hear a crunching noise, there might be rust present in the cooling system that needs to be flushed.
5. Drain the coolant from the radiator and check with your local recycling and waste management facilities on how to dispose of it safely.
6. Disconnect the radiator reservoir hose and the upper and lower radiator hoses using a hose clamp remover.
7. Remove the transmission line using a wrench if there are metal lines connecting the radiator to the transmission. Be wary of any leaking transmission fluid.
8. Disconnect the cooling fan electrical connector and remove the cooling fan mounting bolts using a wrench.
9. Disconnect the air conditioner condenser with a wrench, removing the mounting bolts from the top corners of the radiator.
10. Remove the radiator from your car once everything has been disassembled. 

How to change a car radiator

Changing a car radiator has never been easier with our professional team at AAA Radiators, who offer replacement parts with same-day dispatch. While we recommend consulting an experienced mechanic, if you’re unsure of how to change your car radiator and would like to learn, take the following steps:

1. Connect all parts to the radiator and insert it into the same space where you removed the previous radiator.
2. Tighten the mounting brackets to secure the radiator in place.
3. Secure the air conditioning condenser using the same bolts removed from your old radiator.
4. Plug in the wiring to restore your car’s electric fan and other components.
5. Connect the transmission and tighten it with a wrench to avoid coolant leakage.
6. Connect the upper and lower radiator hoses and the hose to the reservoir, using channel locks to clamp them into place.
7. Refill the cooling system with the correct coolant, referring to your service manual. Dilute the coolant with distilled water and pour it up to the fill line. Check your manual for how to bleed air pockets from the cooling system.
8. Reinstall your radiator cap, and you’re good to go! 

AAA Radiators — your trusted Australian radiator service provider

As the leading provider of car radiators for over 40 years, we at AAA Radiators supply our customers with exceptional customer service and the largest range of replacement radiator parts. 

Visit our warehouse in Croydon Park, NSW, or enjoy free shipping and same-day dispatch across NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD and SA regions — shopping for replacement parts has never been easier! Our expert staff will even use VIN and REGO to find the perfect part for your vehicle. 

If you have any queries, check out our helpful FAQs page or contact us, and an expert team member will be happy to help.