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.

You may like: Dolz technical video: The water pump in the engine cooling system

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.

La entrada Why should you perform cooling system maintenance before the summer season? se publicó primero en Industrias Dolz.

La entrada Car thermostat replacement: how to do it se publicó primero en Industrias Dolz.

Its operating principle is the heat generated during fuel combustion, which migrates to the engine components, is transmitted to the coolant. So, the cooling system serves three important functions. First, it removes excess heat from the engine; second, it maintains the engine operating temperature where it works most efficiently; and finally, it brings the engine up to the right operating temperature as quickly as possible.

This system is composed of five main parts—a radiator, a water pump, a cooling fan, hoses, and a thermostat. And it is precisely this last component that we focus on in today’s blog. Read on to learn why this small but essential component should not be underestimated.

Read on to learn more about an engine’s thermostat, as well as how to detect a damaged thermostat and how it protects our engine from damages due to overheating.

Importance of a properly operating thermostat

Thermostat is one of the most misunderstood parts of a car despite this device was a decisive improvement to engine cooling. The engine is designed to be maintained at a stable temperature, which is the purpose of the thermostat, vital for regulating your vehicle’s temperature across a range of operation conditions. It is placed between the engine and the radiator to make sure that the coolant stays above a certain preset temperature. Without this part, the engine would always lose heat to the radiator and take longer to warm up.

In order to keep your engine in top condition, you need to keep your car thermostat in good condition as well. Besides, by performing its function properly, will be an advantage in the following areas:

• Will reduce engine wear.
• Engine overheating will be avoided.
• Will save the driving force from many other hazards.
• Will improve fuel economy.

Should I Change a damaged thermostat?

The car thermostat is basically like a temperature sensor for your engine. Once the thermostat goes bad, it is no longer able to sense the right temperature in your engine.

Certain installation problems can both shorten the lifespans of thermostats and affect their ability to get accurate temperature readings. Unfortunately, engine thermostats can, and do fail from time to time. That’s why, in light of the above, it is highly recommended that the thermostat is properly maintained. If you’re unsure how to check if thermostat is working, inspect it for temperature regulation issues or unusual coolant flow behavior.

The lifespan of a car thermostat can easily cross 10 years or more. Hence, it’s not easy to answer how long a car thermostat lasts.

Signs of a damaged thermostat

There are a few easily recognizable signs that your cooling thermostat may have given up the ghost and needs fixing, so keep an eye out for the following bad thermostat symptoms:

• Unusually high temperature reading.
• Air temperature changes.
• Your vehicle makes concerning noises.
• Leaking coolant. If the coolant can’t reach the radiator, it can eventually damage the hoses and cause leaks.
• Heater problems.

The importance of vehicle inspection cannot be overstated, so, now that you know how important a car’s thermostat is and, because so many other engine parts rely on the thermostat’s functionality and readings, you should be sure to get the thermostat looked at or replaced if you think it might be faulty. Otherwise, your engine could suffer irreversible damage and other serious problems.

Stay tuned to the DOLZ’s leading blogs for more information on car parts, market trends and latest news.

 Click and whatch! Dolz Thermostats Unboxing.

Why choose Dolz?

Once again, at Industrias Dolz, we combine the latest technology with coordinated planning and flexible production, which allows us to provide our customers with the best possible service and quality.

All our thermostats are integrated models that regulate the coolant flow towards the radiator, determining when and how heat is managed. Most of our thermostats feature a map-controlled thermostat system for optimized performance.

About us

Our experience of almost 90 years in the aftermarket sector allows us to offer innovative solutions and a competitive range of products that meet the highest quality standards.

With a global presence in more than 70 countries worldwide, Industrias Dolz has 3 manufacturing plants located in Spain (Castellon), Argentina (Buenos Aires) and China (Shouzou) and different commercial offices.

Having a full implemented manufacturing processes ‘under one roof’, we can guarantee the total quality of our products, since all processes have quality validations, supplies and reduced lead-times. It has also been possible thanks to the implementation of the Lean Manufacturing method in our facilities.

La entrada Don’t Ignore a Damaged Thermostat: What you could be missing se publicó primero en Industrias Dolz.

There are numerous truck parts from the smallest bolt to the water pump to the wiper blade, but what are the most frequently replaced spare parts?

Top commonly replaced truck spare parts

Knowing the most commonly truck replacement parts can help you keep a close monitoring on their performance. It is important to take in mind that every truck has its own maintenance needs, so a proper assessment of the truck parts must decide which ones need replacement (or don’t).

The truck spare parts that are most frequently replaced are:

• The batteries
• The clutch parts
• The tires
• The break pads

Next, we will talk about each of them in detail and discover why they are the most frequently replaced parts.

1. The batteries

General wisdom says that batteries in trucks should be replaced every three to four years. However, factors like temperature, climate and driving habits can affect the battery’s lifespan and leave the truck needing a new one before the three-year mark. Weak batteries do not always show warning signs, it is important to inspect them regularly

One of the most recommended maintenance practices is not to use the electrical components of the vehicle when the engine is not started.

2. The clutch parts

The clutch, in a manual transmission system, allows the driver to smoothly change gears, by acting as a mechanical link between the engine and the gearbox. Therefore, it is a key component to disconnect the engine from the transmission system.

A damaged clutch could cause extensive damage on the truck’s transmission, which would result in poor truck performance. Unlike passenger cars, trucks and industrial vehicles experience clutch failure due to clutch discharging and overloading. To prevent premature replacement of this component, smooth driving and effective maintenance must be in place.

3. The tires

Probably the most important safety features of a vehicle are the brakes and tires.

Selecting the right tire profile, checking tire condition and age, and checking its tread depth and pressure constantly will ensure that the tires remain in perfect conditions.

When tires start wearing down to the end, they lose their grip on the road and make your vehicle less safe. Also, be sure to get your tires rotated regularly to even maximize their life.

Remember to check the inflation pressure when the tires are cold, it increases automatically when the tire is warm.

4. The brake pads

Without brakes, a truck has no control whatsoever. Brake pads are a core component of the truck’s breaking system. And they tend to wear out, requiring more and more replacements as the trucker gets bigger. This is because larger trucks take more brake power to slow down and stop.

On most heavy-duty vehicles, replacement is expected every 3 to 5 years. However, this largely depends on driving style, driving paths and the amount of stop-and-go-traffic the truck drives in. Avoiding fast stops has been shown to extend brake pads life, but regular checks should always be in place.

Related content: Electromagnetic water pumps for truck

Water pumps: a critical truck component

Water pumps are the cooling system’s masterpiece. They ensure that enough coolant liquid flows around the engine to remove heat and keep the engine from overheating. They are the most popular aftermarket truck part, as are essential for engine health and safety. A defective pump will allow engine heat to build up to dangerous levels and can lead to major damage to the truck’s engine.

Dolz water pumps combine excellent certified quality, equivalent to Original Equipment, with maximum standards and reliability, for optimal performance of the vehicle’s cooling system.

With a complete range for industrial vehicles, Industrias Dolz covers the main applications for the following segments:

• Truck
• Vans
• Tractors
• 4×4 to 4×9
• Marine applications
• Forklifts
• Industrial engines

Keep reading: Endless Quality. Discover Dolz total quality control process

The importance of checking and performing a good truck spare parts maintenance

It is normal for some components of a truck to fail working after a certain period has crossed. Even though trucks are built to last, some smaller truck parts tend to wear out more quickly than others and will have to be replaced more often.

Because every part has its own characteristics, regular inspections and proper, preventive maintenance are highly encouraged to avoid unplanned stops and optimize the availability rate of the truck. Checking truck spare parts will therefore result in considerable savings at the end of the day.

Dolz, since 1934

Do you need quality spare parts for trucks or tractors? Do you have doubts about our product lines? Don’t hesitate to contact our team by sending an email to dolz@idolz.com.

Also, you can browse in our Truck water pumps eCatalogue. In this catalogue, specifically designed for industrial vehicles, you can search by product application, part number, reference, OE number or brand. Easy-to-use and with individual downloadable product data sheets for specifications. We are here to attend all your needs!

Discover also some of our new truck water pumps references.

…yes we have!

La entrada Truck spare parts: most frequently replaced parts se publicó primero en Industrias Dolz.

What exactly is a cooling circuit?

A cooling circuit is a vehicle’s mechanism designed to keep all thermally-stressed areas of the engine from being damaged. The internal combustion necessary for powering vehicles produces substantial heat, and the coolant circulating in the cooling circuit dissipates this heat to ensure a constant engine temperature level in the engine.

The main function of a cooling circuit is to ensure that the engine runs at its optimal operating temperature. While extreme high temperatures can cause overheating, seize, and cracked engine blocks, a cold engine can result in worn out components, more pollutant emitted and a less efficient engine.

Cooling circuit components

The cooling circuit’s main core component is the water pump; in charge of activating the circulation of the coolant through the entire circuit. Other key components include the radiator; in charge of transferring the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, and the thermostat; which ensures that the liquid is at the right temperature by blocking or opening the passage.

Together with the previously mentioned elements, other components such as freeze plugs, cooling fans, head gaskets, hoses and an overflow tank amongst many others, all add up to keeping the temperature within standards of safety and efficiently.

Related content: Engine cooling system: how it works and main components

Cooling system: main problems

Cooling systems fail more often than any other mechanical system, usually related to poor maintenance and neglect, or in relation to external wear causes. The following are some of the main causes of cooling system problems.

Poor use of liquid coolant

Cooling system designers have formulated complex mixtures of water and waterless mixtures with various additives that reduce the freezing point of coolants and prevent corrosion of the metals involved. 

However, specific coolants are suitable for different vehicle models and misdoings such as not using the coolant mixture specified in the vehicle’s manual and/or low coolant levels will negatively affect the water pump and engine temperature.

Failures in auxiliary equipment

Another of the most common cooling circuit problems involves failures in auxiliary equipment. The misfunctioning of closely involved components such as the thermostat or the radiator cooling fan will destabilize engine temperature. 

The thermostat, for instance, helps an engine identify when it needs to cool down. But if it is failing to work properly, the engine will continue to get hotter and hotter until the damage is irreversible. Another example is the radiator cooling fan; if this component breaks down, heat will not be able to dissipate from the coolant, and this will result in overheating and potential engine damage. 

Pressure drops

When pressure within the system drops or is not evenly distributed throughout the cooling circuit, vibration is subject to cavitation (vapor formation). 

If this happens while the engine remains under load, metal temperature will spike and the hot spots will cause important issues such as pump flow interruption, erosion damage, poor engine efficiency, detonation, power loss and full-blown overheating.

Diagnosis related to the car cooling.

This post addresses some of the most common cooling circuit issues, while providing insights into how to address and prevent these. A poor or incorrect use of liquid coolant is one of the main issues causing cooling circuit problems. 

Loss of liquid coolant due to leakage

Even though leaks in the cooling system can be easy ailments to diagnose, they are certainly harder to locate. Signals of a coolant leak include the temperature gauge pointing towards the red zone, steam coming from under the hood or the engine facing a sudden stall.

There are three main causes for coolant leaks: external leaks, radiator cap leaks and internal leaks. Whereas external leaks can be noted by basic inspection, internal leaks are usually caused by faulty components. Whichever the case, identifying, sealing and repairing involved components is a must, and cleaning any resulting contamination should come with it.

Overheating

Probably the most common symptom of a cooling system failure, overheating of vehicle’s internal parts can result in a variety of distressing effects; from burned valves, to damage of the cylinder head gasket and engine seizure. 

It is usually caused by an insufficient quantity of liquid in the circuit, but the truth is that the causes for overheating can be multiple. What is most important is the fact that any indication of overheating will deteriorate a vehicle, so shutting down the engine and fixing the problem is the best practice to prevent further damage.

Frozen coolant and overcooling

If the engine and other inner vehicle parts are running below the normal operating range, the engine will lack achieving full; consuming more fuel and therefore meaning more pollution. This matter will also increase cylinder and other component wear due to the increased amount of fluid friction loss. 

This is usually due to extreme temperatures affecting the coolant temperature, especially when the thermostat opens too soon or the valve remains open for too long. If the vehicle stands still for a long time where the ambience temperature is below the freezing point, the coolant may freeze completely and may cause serious breakage to any part of the system.

Incorrect temperature gauge reading

Sometimes, it is not the actual cooling system what is failing, but the temperature reading. When the engine is functioning, and the coolant is doing its job, the temperature gauge needle should be somewhere in the middle between the hot and cold indicators.

Temperature sensors can also fail, so if the indicator fitted on the instrument panel is signaling tricky readings, a thorough check should be carried out to measure real cooling temperature and contrast it with the reading of the gauge.

Keep reading: The importance of using the right coolant liquid

Other factors and concerns to consider

While the list of causes, signals and issues related to cooling circuit problems might seem never-ending, the truth is that with correct observation and preventive maintenance, the cooling circuit can have a long operating life.

It is a matter of attention, care and common sense. For instance, sudden noises in the cooling system are an evident signal that something goes wrong, and the same happens with most of the factors listed above. 

With regard to the correct use of coolant, a simple look into the cooling circuit will let you know whether it has been maintained correctly. By looking inside the expansion tank, the pipes, and the water pump, you can look out for clear signals such as the appearance of solid residues, yellowish and reddish coloring, white spots and incrustations, as just a few examples, that indicate the use of an unsuitable coolant.

Dolz, leader in the manufacture of water pumps for the aftermarket.

In addition to the water pumps, it also has a wide range of thermostats, thus completing its range of cooling products for the vehicle.

Contact us to learn more about our range of water pumps and products!

La entrada How to detect cooling circuit problems se publicó primero en Industrias Dolz.