Heavy Truck Radiators: Don’t Learn The Hard Way About The Importance Of Maintenance

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People who’ve driven a rig for very long don’t need to be told that maintaining their heavy truck radiators is of critical importance. If you’ve ever been stranded out in the middle of nowhere on a 102-degree day with a busted radiator, you’ve learned a good lesson the hard way.

For independent drivers, their truck is their living, and their truck radiator is an integral part of that living. If you are an employee of a trucking company, that radiator is an integral part of the business and its profits. Maintaining the radiator can be done by a shop specializing in heavy truck radiators, or you can do it yourself.

Maintenance of all kinds of things – not just radiators – is something many people neglect and the pay a high price for later. To keep from paying that kind of a price, here are some tips on maintaining your truck radiator.

Big trucks are cooled by the action of the radiator and condenser. The amount of heat a rig’s engine produces is phenomenal, so it’s important to keep the radiator full of the proper ratio of antifreeze-(or coolant)-to-water.
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In the summer, a 50/50 ratio is probably sufficient to keep your truck radiator doing its cooling job. In the winter months, particularly in the north and northeast, where temperatures regularly drop into the single digits and below, switch to a ratio of 60/40. Experienced drivers know that their radiators need both water and antifreeze to run smoothly. Here’s why.

If only water or too little water is used, scaling will result. Lime deposits “fur” up the cavities within heavy truck radiators, leading to the improper transfer of heat from the cylinder head and block to the circulating coolant. The result? Severe overheating and breakdown of the radiator and, later, the condenser.

On the other hand, straight antifreeze will cause the truck radiator to perform below standard. Remember: water, not coolant, is what cools the engine, but water boils and freezes easily, so a percentage of coolant is needed to keep this from happening.

There are a number of additives you can mix into the fluid of heavy truck radiators. These additives have been formulated to allow radiators to keep working properly under severe high and low temperatures. Some of these products are also used to prevent scaling, as well.

It cannot be stressed strongly enough that big rig drivers need to keep a close eye on fluid levels in their truck radiators as well as making sure the proper ratio of coolant-to-water is used. Engines heat up fast, and if too little fluid is present, not only the radiator but the entire engine can be destroyed.

Remember – a little maintenance will take you a long way, but neglecting it can be a hard way to learn a good lesson.

Doug Thomas is a freelance writer for Radiator Pros, sellers of quality heavy truck radiator. Interested in finding out more about Nissan Forklift radiator? Visit our website today for more information.