RADIATORS

The radiator’s main role in the cooling system is to dissipate heat generated from the engine in the form of coolant into the oncoming airflow. Sound simple in theory. But throw a bulbar, row of spotties and dry of slow moving low range 4WDing and the radiator has it was cut for it. To help improve airflow at slow speeds, the cooling system has a fan that ensures enough air gets to the radiator in every situation. Radiators are made up of tanks joined by rows of finned rubbing that from the core across the center. Each tank is plumbed to the engine with the top and bottom radiator hoses. The thickness, number of cores and the overall capacity very between different 4WDs depending on the engines cooling requirements and space under the bonnet. Hot coolant is pump into the radiator and passes from one other. As it travels across the core, the passing airflow reduces the coolant temperature inside the radiator before it returns to the engine.

If your 4WD is fitted with an automatic transmission, chances are it has an auto fluid cooler integrated into one of the tank of the radiator. The auto fluid is circulated through the cooler tubs inside the radiator and is cooled by the passing coolant. At no stage does the coolant or auto fluid mix, unless a nasty crack develops in the cooler. Radiators in older 4WDs are made the switch to plastic tanks and aluminum cores to cut down in weight and overall costs.