What Happens When a Car Radiator Rusts?
2 Answers
Rust in a car radiator can restrict the flow of coolant in the cooling system, reducing its heat dissipation efficiency, which may lead to engine overheating and even engine damage. The oxidation of coolant can also produce acidic substances that corrode the metal components inside the radiator, causing leaks or breakage. Methods to deal with a rusted radiator: 1. Manual cleaning: The car radiator needs to be removed and cleaned manually using hammers, scrapers, or other tools to remove scale. 2. If the radiator has scale buildup, a radiator cleaner can be used to remove it. Ordinary cleaners may not completely eliminate scale and acidic deposits inside the water channels. While they might loosen large chunks of scale, this can block the water channels, sometimes necessitating the removal of the radiator for thorough cleaning.
Rust in the radiator is no trivial matter—I learned this the hard way through a personal incident. When rust forms in the radiator, iron oxide particles can clog the cooling system's pipes, obstructing the normal flow of coolant. This may cause the engine temperature to skyrocket, even leading to overheating and stalling. If your car suddenly stops while you're driving, it becomes dangerous, especially in hot weather when such issues are more likely to occur. Even worse, corrosion can thin and perforate the radiator walls, causing coolant leaks and leaving puddles under your car—costly and time-consuming to repair. I recommend checking the rust-prevention additives in your coolant and flushing the radiator regularly to avoid such troubles. Don’t wait until the problem becomes severe; replacing a new radiator could cost you thousands and compromise driving safety. Maintaining good upkeep habits is key.
