How long does an aluminum radiator last?

How long does an aluminum radiator last?

Most auto mechanics feel that a properly maintained radiator should last for at least eight to 10 years. Older metal radiators, when well maintained, can last for the life of the car, but modern radiators are mostly made from plastic rather than metal, and plastic expands and contracts as the radiator heats and cools.

What is the best radiator material?

The best material for a traditional radiator is usually cast iron. The best cast iron radiators are very durable and offer excellent heat output which makes them ideal for putting anywhere. The best material for a modern radiator is aluminium.

Which is better 2 row or 3 row radiator?

More rows meant more surface area in contact with the fin and consequently a higher heat rejection. So a 3 row was better than a two row and so on. When aluminum radiators came around the rules changed. Cooling engineers concluded that by lowering the fin height you could stack more layers of tubes.

Why are radiators made of aluminum?

Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat, which makes it a brilliant metal to manufacture radiators out of. As aluminium conducts heat so well, it means that aluminium radiators can get up to your desired temperature more quickly than radiators made out of other materials.

How much is a radiator worth in scrap?

For 2018, the scrap value of aluminum radiators was about $0.60 per pound. Aluminum radiators can weigh anywhere from about eight to 20 pounds depending on their size and whether you've removed any parts to prepare for scrapping.

Is a bigger radiator better?

Thicker radiators have a lower fin density. … The reason why thick radiators do not require more fins is because they make up for surface area in their thickness. In the photo above, the thin radiator on the left will have a higher fin density than the thicker radiator on the right.

How many rows are in a radiator?

most alum radiators have two rows but their rows are wide, equivilent to a regular radiator with a 4 row.

What does rows in a radiator mean?

This simply refers to the amount of rows in the core of your radiator. More rows means more coolant can flow through the radiator, thus keeping your engine cooler.

What is a 4 row radiator?

The correct term used by most radiator professionals is a “four row”, referring to the number of tubes. … This radiator uses two rows of 1” wide aluminum tubes. All aluminum cores are furnace brazed and they are 100% aluminum material.

Does Copper cool faster than aluminum?

Aluminum has the ability to absorb heat faster than copper, and when removed from the heat source, will cool faster because it is less dense than copper. BUT..in a system with steady heat input, like a computer cpu, copper is better at keeping heat going into and out of the metal, much as it is with electricity.

Is a 4 row radiator better than a 3 row?

A two row aluminum radiator (with larger 1" or better yet 1.25" tubes and more cooling fins) will cool more efficiently than a 3 or 4 row copper/brass radiator. Most of the older design copper/brass radiators have smaller diameter (3/8-1/2") cooling tubes and less fins, with the fins running parallel to one another.

Are aluminum radiators better than plastic?

Plastic radiators are both cheaper and lighter. … The primary plastic parts are the tanks at either end of the radiator core, which is often made of aluminum and carries coolant through the cooling fins. “An aluminum core is a very durable radiator that will hold up just as long as copper-brass,” Gordon said.