What causes the radiator sludge ?
The radiator is an engine component that functions to cool down the engine coolant temperature. Because of its critical function for the engine cooling system, radiator maintenance is key to making the engine continue to run at normal working temperatures and avoid damage due to overheating.
One problem that often plagues radiators is sludge. Yes, the radiator and the entire engine coolant tubes often have sludge. Many engines overheat because the radiator is clogged with this sludge.
So, what causes the radiator sludge? The following article will share information about three common causes of radiator sludge.
1. Using plain tap water as a radiator coolant
Regular tap water is often used as a radiator coolant. Besides being more economical, it is also widely available everywhere. Using plain tap water as a coolant is not suitable for most car engines, especially if you use groundwater near the coast where acid and salt levels are high.
Tap water contains substances that tend to cause rust more easily. Rust inside the cooling tube is what will eventually dissolve with the coolant and turn into sludge.
Also, the maximum boiling point of tap water is only 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, it will accelerate forming of dirt and sludge in the cooling system channel.
As a result, the dirt created during the engine cooling process will flow and be carried into the radiator, creating the radiator sludge.
2. Using an unsuitable engine coolant
Using an engine coolant for the radiator is the best choice. However, we also need to be more prudent when choosing the engine coolant because there are so many brands and types in the market today.
Yes, the engine coolant is a chemical liquid that has been specially formulated to use as an engine coolant. Furthermore, the ability of the liquid has also been improved compared to ordinary plain tap water.
Things that need to be considered in choosing a suitable coolant are following the car manufacturer's recommendations. That is not without reason because several engine blocks use cast iron, and others use aluminium alloy.
Even though the radiator coolants looks the same, but they are truly different. The coolant chemical liquid will undoubtedly affect the two metals that make up the engine block, especially as long as the engine runs and emits heat.
Therefore, using an unsuitable engine coolant can impact the appearance of sludge in the cooling system channel, which can trap in the radiator and know as radiator sludge.
Also Read:3. The engine coolant is never replaced
The last clause of the radiator sludge we knew was due to the radiator coolant water never being replaced. The engine coolant needs to be replaced every time the vehicle has travelled 25,000 miles or about 24 months (2 years). In that case, you may see the recommendation time on your owner's manual book since every car has a different treatment.
No matter how good an engine coolant is made. The engine coolant will reach saturation if it has passed a very long service life and has never been replaced.
When the engine coolant has entered the saturation point, we will indicate a coolant's colour change.
Engine coolant was originally clear and coloured (red, green, blue.), if it has passed its replacement period, everything will turn into a cloudy brown colour. Also, the liquid starts to show sludge spots as it flows.
The longer the engine coolant is not replaced, the more sludge will settle on the radiator. The radiator sludge can clog it and cause the engine to overheat.