1. Common faults and causes of radiators
The most common fault of a diesel generator radiator is water leakage.
The main causes of water leakage are:
(1) The fan blades break or tilt during operation, causing the heat sink to be damaged;
(2) The radiator is not fixed properly, causing the diesel engine to crack the radiator joint during operation;
(3) The cooling water contains too many impurities and salt, causing the pipe wall to be severely corrupted and damaged.
2. Inspection after radiator damage
When the radiator of a diesel generator leaks, the outside of the radiator should be cleaned before checking for water leakage, during the inspection, except for leaving one water inlet or outlet, all other ports should be blocked, the radiator should be placed in water, and then compressed air of about 0.5kg/cm³ should be injected from the water inlet or outlet with an air pump or a high-pressure air cylinder. If bubbles are found, it means that there are cracks or damage at that place.
3. Repair of Radiator
(1) Repair of Radiator Upper and Lower Water Chambers
Before repairing the radiator of a diesel generator, clean the leaking part, and then use a metal brush or scraper to thoroughly remove the metal paint and rust, and then repair it with solder. If a large area of water leaks at the fixing screws of the upper and lower water chambers, the upper and lower water chambers can be removed, and then two water chambers of appropriate size can be remade. Before assembly, apply adhesive or sealant on the upper and lower sides of the gasket, and then fix it with screws.
(2) Repair of Radiator Water Pipes
If the outer layer of the radiator water pipe is slightly damaged, it can generally be repaired by soldering. If the damage is larger, use needle-nosed pliers to clamp the two sides of the damaged pipe to prevent it from leaking. However, the number of blocked water pipes should not be too large; otherwise, it will affect the heat dissipation effect of the radiator. If the internal water pipes of the radiator are damaged, the upper and lower water chambers should be removed and the water pipes should be replaced or welded. After assembly, the radiator should be rechecked for leaks.
