Triangle Heavy Duty Radiator – Full Service and Affordable Pricing for Radiators Chicago – 773-539-7676
The radiator is an essential part of your heavy duty truck’s (or industrial vehicle’s) cooling system. It enables the tremendous heat produced by the truck’s engine to be dispersed safely into the air, which keeps the engine operating at its ideal temperature. When problems arise with Radiators Chicago, it can lead to big problems for the general functioning of your heavy duty truck – and that could mean downtime and lost productivity for your commercial or industrial enterprise. We’ll repair or replace your truck Radiators Chicago quickly because we know that out-of-service trucks are no help to your bottom line!
Radiators Chicago
While the working principles of Radiators Chicago are pretty straightforward, there are a lot of issues that you may want to keep in mind if you’re seeing signs of trouble with your truck’s radiator.
Here’s a summary of some basics about Radiators Chicago:
Radiators Chicago are mounted at the front of your truck’s engine bay, just behind the grille. It connects to a sizeable metal frame known as the radiator’s core support. This support, in turn, is attached to the frame of the truck. The radiator is normally attached by a pair of brackets at the top of the unit, and sits on rubber supports at the bottom.
Radiators consist of a number of tubes that serve as a conduit for coolant fluid (antifreeze). These essential tubes are situated between two tanks that contain coolant. Connected to these tubes – inside the radiator’s core – are “fins,” which dissipate heat away from the engine block and out into the air. The process of cooling starts out when the truck’s water pump directs coolant to the engine. As the coolant flows around the engine’s cylinders it absorbs some of the heat created by the combustion and friction in the engine. The coolant – carrying the heat along with it – enters into Radiators Chicago via the upper radiator hose and then flows through the radiator’s tubes, which collect the heat. From there the heat is conducted from the tubes to the fins, which then – as mentioned above – dissipate the heat. Cooling air moves across the radiator through the truck’s grill as it moves forward. The engine’s electric fan also helps keep temperatures at a sufficient level. Lastly, the coolant returns to the truck’s engine and starts its journey all over again.
Radiators Chicago can be manufactured from a number of materials. The most common materials are copper or brass, and aluminum.
Copper or Brass Radiators Chicago
Copper radiators are efficient at cooling an engine block. Copper can be prone to corrosion, but this can be offset by simply painting the radiator. At Triangle Heavy Duty Radiator, we stock an unbeatable supply of quality copper or brass radiators and radiator parts. We’re also very experienced at servicing copper Radiators Chicago of all makes and models!
Aluminum Radiators
Many heavy duty truck manufacturers have shifted towards aluminum radiators. Although aluminum does not transfer heat quite as well as copper or brass does, it is a lighter material which brings the benefit of more fuel efficiency. Along with this advantage, it’s still quite good for heat transfer. Additionally aluminum is a stronger material than copper. This extra strength allows the radiator tubes to be shaped wider and to support more fins.
How Coolant Flows Through A Radiator
There are basically two main designs with respect to how coolant moves through Radiators Chicago. In a “downflow” radiator, tanks mounted at the top and bottom of the unit allow the coolant to go downward through the tubes. In the other type of design – known as a “crossflow” radiator – the tanks are found on the left and right sides of the unit, with the coolant flowing through tubes over the unit. Other versions of Radiators Chicago used primarily on heavy duty trucks and industrial vehicles are the “low flow” radiator, which uses multiple passes of coolant, and the “bolt-on” radiator. This design features tanks that are attached onto a core with a gasket. Each of these types of Radiators Chicago are made in both crossflow or downflow versions.
Other Parts of the Cooling System
The radiator is a part of your heavy duty truck’s overall cooling system, which relies on a number of important other parts to do its job correctly. These include the radiator cap, the upper and lower hoses and the radiator’s overflow tank.
The radiator hoses allow coolant to circulate between the radiator and the truck’s engine. Held in position by metal clamps, the upper hose delivers coolant to the radiator, while the lower hose delivers coolant back into the engine. Our service technicians can mold radiator hoses to fit particular specifications.
While the radiator cap may look simple, it’s actually a little more complicated than you might think. More than simply capping off the radiator and keeping coolant from splashing out, the cap also keeps the right pressure of the radiator.
Solutions for Radiators Chicago
The most typical problem related to radiators is when they become clogged. This can occur when corrosion in the radiator leads to rust getting into the coolant, which turns it from a “healthy” greenish blue into a yellow sludge. When the flow of coolant is impeded, it cannot cool down the engine effectively. Sludgey coolant can also start to collect inside the system and form blockages that obstruct the correct flow even more and further diminish the cooling abilities of the truck’s radiator. This problem can be avoided with routine maintenance by Triangle Heavy Duty Radiator.
From time to time, Radiators Chicago can develop problems that start outside the engine block instead of inside. For example, the radiator can sustain damage from rocks, ice, litter, broken pavement and other road debris. This can result in punctures, leaks or bent and broken fins. Rust and corrosion may also affect the outside of the radiator and cause leaks or reduced effectiveness of the radiator’s fins. Another significant problem can arise if a heavy duty truck’s ignition system is not correctly grounded and the radiator receives an electrical charge. In aluminum radiators this can cause electrolysis – which is a reaction between metal and coolant that leads to swift corrosion of the aluminum
Cooling system parts can also undergo damage that keeps your heavy duty truck’s cooling system from working effectively. The radiator hoses, for instance, can form leaks that allow loss of coolant, or kinks that stop the coolant from flowing. Hoses can also sustain cuts and punctures from road dirt and debris. Loose hoses or wear and tear of the hose clamps can cause leaks too.
Fortunately, for heavy duty truck and industrial vehicle owners all over Chicagoland, Triangle Heavy Duty Radiator offers quick and cost-effective solutions for all Radiators Chicago.
Our very well-equipped facility at 3700 West Irving Park Road offers convenient access and an experienced staff of service techs standing by to get your trucks back in business and minimize your company’s downtime. Our staff will pick up and deliver all of the high quality parts you choose from our large inventory with fast same day pickup and delivery for most cases.
