Radiator

The parts of the cooling system most likely to give trouble are water hoses . Age and the movement of the engine on its mountings will eventually cause cracks, or their inner fabric may deteriorate due to the hot water. Read more

Over a period of years, sediment builds up in a car's cooling system even if antifreeze containing corrosion inhibitors is left in all year round. Read more

Radiators on earlier cars were made of copper and brass alloys . They could be repaired by soldering. But a number of later cars - including the Mini Metro - have radiators with aluminium cores and plastic top and bottom tanks. Such radiators can be damaged by forcing off a hose or pressure cap , or overtightening a clip. Read more

If the engine warms up very slowly, or never reaches normal temperature, or if it overheats quickly, the thermostat is probably faulty. Read more

Electric radiator-fan motors are switched on either by the ignition switch - and run while the engine is working - or by a thermostatic switch . Read more

Always use the right kind of antifreeze for your car and keep it at the correct strength, otherwise internal rust or sludge may result. Read more

A leak in the water-cooling system can be hard to trace - especially if it is internal, say in the cylinder-head gasket between cylinders . Read more

Fitting an electric, thermostatically controlled fan in place of the mechanical, engine -driven type can save you fuel and allow you to regain engine power normally wasted in constantly driving the fan. Read more