We independently repair the cooling radiator

An internal combustion engine in a car needs constant cooling. In the vast majority of modern engines, liquid cooling is used, and antifreeze is used as a coolant. And if something is wrong with the radiator in the cooling system, the engine does not have long to work. Fortunately, you can repair the radiator yourself.

Why does the radiator break

Here are the main reasons for the breakdown of car radiators:

• mechanical damage. The fins and tubes of the radiator are very easily deformed. They can even be bent by hand. If a stone from the road or a piece of a fan blade gets into the radiator, a breakdown is inevitable;
• blockage. Dirt can get into the radiator through leaky connections. And the driver can also fill in low-quality coolant there, which will lead to the formation of scale in the radiator tubes, after which the antifreeze will stop circulating normally.
  

  If the cooling system is not sealed, dirt accumulates in the radiator

In all of the above cases, the radiator can be repaired. But there are situations when the repair of this device is impractical. For example, in a head-on collision of cars during an accident. In such a situation, the radiator is damaged so badly that no repair is out of the question, and the only option is replacement.

Radiator breakage signs

Here's what happens if the radiator fails:

• there are power drops. The motor does not hold speed well, especially during a long trip;
• antifreeze boils right in the tank. The reason is simple: since the radiator is clogged, the coolant does not circulate well through the system, and therefore does not have time to cool down in time. The temperature of the antifreeze gradually increases, which leads to its boiling;
• engine jams. This is accompanied by a characteristic sound, which is impossible not to hear. And this is the most difficult case, which is not always possible to fix even with the help of a major overhaul. If the driver ignored the above two signs, the engine will inevitably overheat and jam, after which the car will turn into real estate.

Radiator repair options

We list the popular solutions that allow you to restore the performance of the cooling radiator.

Restoration of normal circulation

As mentioned above, the circulation in the radiator can be disturbed due to dirt or scale (the drivers call the latter option “coking”). Today, to combat these contaminants, there are a lot of washing liquids that can be purchased at any parts store. The most popular products of the American company Hi-Gear.

Radiator Flush formulation is highly efficient and cost effective

A 350 ml can of Radiator Flush costs about 400 rubles. This amount is enough to flush the radiator with a capacity of up to 15 liters. The main advantage of this liquid is not only that it removes any “coking”, but also that it does this within 7-8 minutes.

1. The car engine starts and idles for 10 minutes. Then it is muffled and cools for an hour.
2. Antifreeze is drained through a special hole. In its place, a cleaning liquid is poured, diluted with the required amount of distilled water (the ratio of the solution is indicated on the jar with the liquid).
3. The engine restarts and runs for 8 minutes. Then it is muffled and cools down within 40 minutes.
4. The cooled cleaning fluid is drained from the system. In its place, distilled water is poured to flush the radiator from the cleaning compound and remaining scale particles.
5. The flushing procedure is repeated until the water leaving the radiator is as clean as the water being filled in. Then new antifreeze is poured into the system.

Search for leaks in the radiator

Sometimes the radiator looks intact on the outside, but it flows. This is usually due to corrosive corrosion of the pipes. Water is used to detect leaks.

1. The radiator is removed from the car, the antifreeze is drained.
2. All pipes are hermetically sealed with stoppers. Water is poured into the neck.
3. The radiator is placed on a flat, dry surface. For convenience, you can lay paper on it.
4. If there is a leak, a puddle forms under the radiator. It remains only to look closely and find the place of the leak. As a rule, leaks occur in places where the fins are soldered to the tubes.
   

   The radiator is filled with water, the leak is shown in red

If the leak in the radiator is so small that it cannot be detected by the above method, another technique is used.

1. All pipes in the removed radiator are hermetically clogged.
2. A conventional hand pump is connected to the neck, used to inflate the wheels.
3. With the help of a pump, air is pumped into the radiator, and then the device is completely immersed in a container of water (the pump can not even be disconnected from the neck).
4. Escaping air bubbles will allow you to accurately locate the leak.
   

   Air bubbles coming out of the radiator allow you to accurately determine the location of the leak

Fixing leaks with sealant

The easiest way to get rid of a small leak in the radiator is to seal it with sealant.

Leak Stop is one of the most popular and inexpensive sealants.

It is a powder that is diluted in distilled water in the ratio indicated on the package.

1. The engine warms up for 10 minutes. It is then allowed to cool for an hour.
2. The cooled antifreeze is drained from the system. In its place, the prepared solution with sealant is poured.
3. The motor starts and runs for 5-10 minutes. Usually this time is enough for the particles of sealant circulating in the system to reach the leak and block it.

The use of "cold welding"

Another popular way to repair a radiator. It is simple, and most importantly, suitable for both aluminum and copper radiators. "Cold welding" is a two-component adhesive composition, and the components of this composition are in the package separately from each other. They must be mixed to use.

1. The damaged area of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe radiator is cleaned of dirt with sandpaper. Then degreased with acetone.
2. Under this area, a patch is cut out of a thin sheet of metal. Its surface is also degreased.
3. The components of "cold welding" are mixed. By consistency, they resemble children's plasticine, so to mix them you just need to carefully knead them in your hands.
4. "Welding" is applied to the hole. Then a patch is applied to the damaged area and pressed firmly. You can use the radiator only after a day.
   

   Repair "cold welding" does not require special equipment and skills

Video: cold welding radiator repair

Niva 2131 Radiator repair by cold welding

About other repair options

In case of serious damage, soldering of radiators is used. It is extremely problematic to do this in a garage, especially if the aluminum radiator is damaged. For its soldering, special equipment and a special flux are required. As a rule, an ordinary motorist does not have any of this. So there is only one option: drive the car to a car service, to qualified auto mechanics.

How to extend the life of the radiator

There are a couple of simple tips to significantly increase the life of the radiator:

• flushing every 2 thousand kilometers. A simple preventive measure can double the life of a radiator;
• do not use aggressive detergents. Inexperienced motorists are very fond of washing radiators with caustic soda (or even the Krot cleaning agent, which is also based on soda). This cannot be done, especially if the radiator is aluminum. The caustic soda is too aggressive, so one or more tubes may leak instead of flushing.
  

  Do not use caustic soda to flush aluminum radiators

So, even a novice motorist is quite capable of detecting small leaks in the radiator and repairing them. But not everyone can handle more serious damage that requires soldering or even welding. So without the help of a specialist with the right equipment and skills, you can’t do it.