Are aluminum radiators worth it?

Are aluminum radiators worth it?

An aluminum radiator does cool better than a copper brass radiator. For example, an aluminum radiator with 2 rows of 1″ tubes is equivalent to a copper brass radiator with 5 rows of 1/2″ tubes. Aluminum provides high efficiency, is lightweight, and has a longer life compared to copper brass.

Will a 3 row or 2 row radiator cool better?

In the old days of copper and brass radiators this was true. 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. Cooling engineers concluded that by lowering the fin height you could stack more layers of tubes.

Do aluminum radiators require special coolant?

The key to maximizing the life of an aluminum radiator is not so much the coolant brand as it is the water type. All coolants sold today will protect the aluminum radiators adequately however distilled water must be part of the package.

What is the advantage of an aluminum radiator?

Aluminum is strong and durable, which makes the radiator less likely to crack or bend, even when subject to high temperatures. Aluminum is less susceptible to corrosion and rust. Aluminum conducts heat well and absorbs it faster, which allows the hot coolant going through the tubes to cool more quickly.

Should I upgrade to aluminum radiator?

If your factory aluminum radiator has started to leak, is clogged, or has been damaged, it is the perfect time to upgrade to upgrade to an aluminum radiator.

Is a 3 row radiator better?

It is made up of tubes that carry the coolant and fins that transfer heat from the tubes to the air passing through the core. Rows are number of lines of tubes from one face of the core to the other (front to back). 3 lines of tubes are found in a 3 row radiator. More rows mean more tubes which means more cooling.

Can I use green antifreeze in an aluminum radiator?

While the manufacturers of these coolants recommend only using them in an aluminum radiator, as opposed to the copper/brass radiators, we still don’t recommend them in our all-aluminum radiators. We recommend the traditional yellow/green coolant because it has always worked for us.

Do aluminum radiators corrode?

Aluminium radiators are not particularly prone to corrosion, however this does not mean they absolutely never corrode. The exterior of aluminium radiators are covered in a paint finish which means that surface of the radiator will not react with the air. Because of this, rust and corrosion is very rarely a problem.