What Causes the Radiator Temperature to Be Too Low?
1 Answers
Radiator temperature being too low is usually caused by a faulty thermostat. When the thermostat malfunctions, the valve cannot close, causing the coolant to continuously circulate in the major loop, which may result in the engine's water temperature being too low. Another possible cause is a malfunctioning radiator electric fan that keeps running continuously. Below is a detailed explanation: 1. Most cars use water-cooled engines, which rely on coolant circulating within the engine to remove excess heat. In water-cooled engines, the coolant follows two circulation paths: a major loop and a minor loop. When the engine is first started, the coolant circulates in the minor loop, bypassing the radiator, which helps the engine warm up quickly. Once the engine reaches its normal operating temperature, the coolant switches to the major loop, passing through the radiator to dissipate heat, thereby maintaining the engine within a normal operating temperature range. 2. If the thermostat fails and the coolant continuously circulates in the major loop, the water temperature will drop too low, causing the radiator temperature to also become too low. If the electric fan behind the radiator malfunctions and keeps running, it can also lead to the radiator temperature dropping too low. Additionally, a faulty coolant temperature sensor may cause the electric fan to run continuously. If such issues occur, car owners should inspect the thermostat, coolant temperature sensor, and electric fan.
