A Quick Course On Your Vehicle’s Cooling System
When you lift the hood of your car and examine the engine, the assembly appears sturdy. It looks solid and able to withstand plenty of punishment during operation. While it can operate under load and endure a degree of stress, the engine is very susceptible to heat. This poses a challenge
While you’re driving, your engine undergoes its 4-stroke combustion process. Part of this process is the ignition stroke during which the air-fuel mixture within the cylinders is ignited by the spark plug. This stroke causes a small explosion within the cylinders. At 65 mph, the assembly endures thousands of explosions each minute. This creates heat. Unless it is controlled, the heat will destroy your engine. Controlling heat is the main responsibility of your vehicle’s cooling system.
We’ll take a closer look at this system below. I’ll provide a brief overview that explains its operation and describe some of the components involved. You’ll also learn how to keep the system well-maintained so it can perform its job.
An Overview Of The Cooling System’s Operation
A generation ago, most vehicles were built with cooling systems that operated on air. Today, most operate on liquid – specifically, coolant. Coolant circulates through several components under the hood, and thus controls the temperature surrounding the engine.
The fluid circulates through small corridors built into the engine block and cylinder head. As it flows through these corridors, it absorbs heat that is generated from the 4-stroke combustion process. Once heated, the coolant travels to your radiator where it is cooled by air. The air comes in via the front of your vehicle (technically, the grill) and blows across the surface of the radiator. Once the temperature of the coolant drops, it leaves the radiator and travels back to the engine. The fluid’s circulation is driven by a water pump.
Key Parts Of The System
As the description above implies, the heart of the cooling system is the radiator. It is located near the front of your vehicle (near the grill) and is designed with a series of fins that allow heat to dissipate from the coolant. On the back of the radiator are fans (usually two of them). These are designed to keep air moving across the radiator while you’re driving. Without them, the temperature of the coolant would climb and eventually make the entire system ineffective.
The water pump has a simple, but important, job: to keep the coolant circulating while your engine is in operation. You’ll find it attached near the front of the assembly and powered by the serpentine belt.
Your cooling system also includes a thermostat. It is responsible for monitoring the temperature of the coolant, and directing it accordingly. If the fluid is sufficiently heated, the thermostat allows it to travel into the radiator for cooling. Otherwise, the fluid is redirected to the engine in order to absorb more heat.
Making Sure The System Remains In Good Condition
The most common problems that occur with the cooling system involve deteriorated hoses, a broken serpentine belt, a failing radiator cap, and a failing water pump. Check the hoses on a regular basis. They’re made of rubber, which is susceptible to heat. Examine them for cracks and other signs of aging.
Also, check the condition of your serpentine – or timing – belt. If it breaks, the water pump will stop working, which stops the circulation of the coolant.
The radiator cap is responsible for maintaining a certain level of pressure within the cooling system. When excess pressure builds, the cap allows it to bleed. If the cap malfunctions, pressure will continue to build until heat causes your engine to seize. For this reason, get into the habit of pressure testing the cap periodically.
Most people realize their engine can overheat if the temperature surrounding it rises beyond a certain point. Few people, however, take the time to maintain their car’s cooling system. A routine check every few weeks will help prevent it – and your engine – from failing.
Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Maintenance, Car Repair, Car Repair, Cooling System