WITHOUT A FULLY FUNCTIONING RADIATOR & ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, THINGS CAN GET HEATED.
When you drive, the parts within your engine are creating some serious friction – and that friction generates heat. Engines run efficiently when warmed up, and the temperature is maintained by many engine cooling parts; the radiator, cooling fans, water pump, thermostat, coolant, pressure cap, overflow tank reservoir and other misc. parts.
In order to stabilize the engine heat, the water pump sends coolant into the engine block to absorb the engine heat. The engine heat is then run past a thermostat, which maintains the engine coolant temperature. The coolant is then sent to the radiator to release the engine heat. Radiator cooling fans keep the radiator cool with airflow. The coolant is then sent back to the engine block to repeat the cooling cycle. The cooling system and radiator work together to keep the engine at a safe temperature.