A proper cooling system maintenance is part of the crucial operations to guarantee a vehicle runs smoothly, safely and presents no surprise issues on the road. Additionally, keeping an eye on the cooling system can greatly improve a vehicle’s life cycle.
This is especially true during summer season: although most modern vehicles will run smoothly even during extremely hot conditions, the proper cooling system maintenance can eliminate unnecessary risks.
Let’s take a look at what cooling system maintenance means and how to guarantee the cirtcuit doesn’t present any issues.
How does hot weather affect your car?
Warm weather can have significant effects on a car’s correct operations, as it influences multiple systems including the battery, tires, motor oil and body shell.
When it comes to the cooling system, the issues that can arise from warm weather are multiple. While cooling systems often remain neglected in winter, they can cause issues when the warm temperatures arrive, as they’re expected to increase their operations.
The cooling system is in charge of guaranteeing an engine doesn’t get too hot, as a typical combustion engine will run more efficiently at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 degrees Celsius. At higher temperatures, metal parts will experience issues (they may even melt or fuse together) which turns into a variety of issues.
A cooling system that works well will eliminate these risks. However, if the cooling system is defective, it may not be able to do so at warm temperatures, causing the vehicle to overheat because of the lack of air flow across the engines.
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How does the cooling system work?
How does the cooling system work in a car? The cooling system is a closed circuit responsible for managing the engine temperature, circulating the coolant (or antifreeze) that will be responsible for dissipating heat from all engine areas subject to thermal stress.
While engines rely on internal combustion to propel vehicles, the cooling system uses a closed circular process to guarantee overheating is avoided and constant temperature levels are kept.
It works by constantly passing fluid through channels in the engine block. The coolant, driven by the water pump, is pushed through the cylinder block. As the solution passes through these channels, it absorbs heat from the engine. Usually the pump sends coolant up through the engine and down through the radiator, taking advantage of the fact that hot water expands, becomes lighter and rises above cool water when heated.
Cooling systems include the following components:
- Coolant.
- Water pump and hoses.
- Thermostats.
- Fans.
- Radiator.
Problems in these may include cracked hoses, leaks, loose or missing radiator caps. Additionally, these are some common signs of issues relating to the cooling system:
- Engine overheating.
- Antifreeze leaks under the vehicle’s front.
- Increase in temperature (due to the lubrication oil not to fulfill its function).
- Smell of antifreeze or coolant (due to evaporation) and high fuel consumption.
Cooling system maintenance tips
- Check for coolant levels often, especially if you see coolant under the car after it’s been parked for a while, as this might be a sign of cooling circuit problems.
- Add new coolant every two years. In order to do so, flush the radiator. If it’s done during the warm season, add a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. If coolant is rusty or discolored, it might be a sign of corrosion.
- Check the condition of components such as the radiator, the fan and especially the water pump, heart of the cooling system, and replace them when necessary. In addition, it should be remembered that it is important not to overlook the timing belt, because if it breaks down it will cause the water pump to fail, which can cause serious damage to the engine.
- Perform a complete cooling system bleed, this will remove debris and air from the system, helping it to function properly and without temperature management issues. In order to do so, choose the correct purge equipment so that an optimal circuit cleaning can take place, including the main radiator and the heating radiator, both with the engine working and when the engine is stopped.
Keep reading: How to detect cooling circuit problems
An optimal cooling system, easier with quality spare parts
As specialists in vehicle cooling, at Industrias Dolz we know the fundamental role that this system performs in the car, as well as the importance of choosing components of the highest quality when replace them.
Quality has different nuances depending on the perspective from which it is analyzed, but without a doubt, choosing parts that are OE equivalent in terms of quality standards will ensure that their manufacture processes are efficient and continually improving for the highest performance.
With almost 90 years of history, we are one of the European leaders in the manufacture of water pumps, completing our product offer with timing belt kits, timing chain kits and thermostats for the aftermarket industry.
Want to learn more about cooling system maintenance and how the right vehicle components can make sure your vehicle’s life cycle is extended and your engine runs smoothly? Get in touch with us and see how our cooling system components can help you.
