Possible radiator test?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2017
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Possible radiator test?
I'm curious as to what the community thinks. I've never heard this before until today. To me (I'll never claim to be a mechanic) it seems like it would work but doesn't the radiator cool the hot coolant? Like hot in, cool out?To test for a bad radiator use a infrared thermometer. At running temps check the top of the radiator and then the bottom. If there is more than a 20* difference chances are the radiator needs to be replaced/cleaned.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 709
Likes: 61
Shot the top of the radiator from the top, hood open. Bottom from underneath............inlet/outlet area.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,915
Likes: 3,625
I'm curious as to what the community thinks. I've never heard this before until today. To me (I'll never claim to be a mechanic) it seems like it would work but doesn't the radiator cool the hot coolant? Like hot in, cool out?To test for a bad radiator use a infrared thermometer. At running temps check the top of the radiator and then the bottom. If there is more than a 20* difference chances are the radiator needs to be replaced/cleaned.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 94
Using an infrared gun could have merits to pinpoint a section of a radiator that is plugged. Slowly scanning back and forth, up and down looking for large temp swings compared to nearby areas, could show you the extend of the blockage.
Provided you can get clear access to measure.
Provided you can get clear access to measure.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,830
Likes: 3,115
From: Jersey Shore
Providing YOU knew the flow rates across all the tubes.
Heat exchanger design and values have a whole host of variables, fluid flow rates, air flow rates, specific heat of the coolant (medium), proportionality of medium being cooled and by what to some extent.
This would work if there was data based on field-testing. 10 people took values and recorded the base coolant T, air T, absolute humidity, engine RPM (for coolant flow rate), fan rpm (for air flow rate) and probably a few other things Mark K would better understand. Unless Mark K already knows the coolant heat exchanger's delta
But just giving a value like 20F, for all vehicles isn't going to work. It's going to be very vehicle model specific in any case if you want to get into the gritty.
Heat exchanger design and values have a whole host of variables, fluid flow rates, air flow rates, specific heat of the coolant (medium), proportionality of medium being cooled and by what to some extent.
This would work if there was data based on field-testing. 10 people took values and recorded the base coolant T, air T, absolute humidity, engine RPM (for coolant flow rate), fan rpm (for air flow rate) and probably a few other things Mark K would better understand. Unless Mark K already knows the coolant heat exchanger's delta
But just giving a value like 20F, for all vehicles isn't going to work. It's going to be very vehicle model specific in any case if you want to get into the gritty.
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Fleet Owner
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rpm might give you the water pump discharge flow rate, but how do you estimate the flow across only the radiator?
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,830
Likes: 3,115
From: Jersey Shore
We, as mere mortals not heat transfer engineers, would not. I'm just saying we would have to document the variables we can and document the delta on a new vehicle and use that as a benchmark. We would then need to have peoples results with clogged units and excessive heat issues to document theirs. Or we just have a comfort point. New we saw a 50°F delta, at 25°F I'm going to replace it. Or whatever value you want.
Just saying you can't grab an internet value and go for it.
I've just been doing cooling fan work on our Lincoln LS, a PITA vehicle that is well known for its undersized radiator. During the winter when I was observing the temp normal highway driving resulted in 192°F, could go to 240°F sitting in traffic with a bad fan. Now during the summer, highway with working fan (PWM control at 0) is 220°F. Sitting in traffic with fan working (PWM at 40%) is 210°F. I don't think it's delta is going to be the same as the PS. Maybe it is, but the variables have a wide effect.
Just saying you can't grab an internet value and go for it.
I've just been doing cooling fan work on our Lincoln LS, a PITA vehicle that is well known for its undersized radiator. During the winter when I was observing the temp normal highway driving resulted in 192°F, could go to 240°F sitting in traffic with a bad fan. Now during the summer, highway with working fan (PWM control at 0) is 220°F. Sitting in traffic with fan working (PWM at 40%) is 210°F. I don't think it's delta is going to be the same as the PS. Maybe it is, but the variables have a wide effect.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,830
Likes: 3,115
From: Jersey Shore
Sorry guys, I think I carried this discussion a little too far, too obstructionist.. The previous night and yesterday my body was not doing too well and as my wife has said, I get a little onry. Actually on some occasions she has another term.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
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From: Spanaway
I would think that one could also just drain and stuff a video bore scope in
and look for any obstructions at the channel openings. Also doing all the
normal cleaning of the outside of the radiator will help there too.
and look for any obstructions at the channel openings. Also doing all the
normal cleaning of the outside of the radiator will help there too.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Too late it's now on the internet and will never go away.
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