Engine overheating is known to cause harsh and sometimes even irreparable damage to vehicle engines. As superheated areas of the engine expand and contract, it can form cracks that will eventually result in significant oil leaks, loss of performance and an underlying lengthy while expensive repair.
To prevent vehicle engines from overheating, cars and trucks with internal combustion engines incorporate a key player cooling system where circulates coolant from the radiator to the vehicle’s engine block. But what exact role does the coolant liquid play in this cycle?
So what is coolant liquid role exactly regarding the water pump?
The coolant liquid, also known as antifreeze, is the fluid that flows through a vehicle’s engine to keep temperature at its optimal point. It is a blend of water and antifreeze that prevents the radiator from freezing when extreme cold and from overheating when extreme heat.
Coolant liquid is the best form of engine cooling due to the fact that water transfers heat way more efficiently and quieter than air. However, there are many different coolants circulating around, each of them with different characteristics and formulas.
Choosing the right engine coolant and avoiding the mixture of two different types will ensure best practices for a vehicle’s cooling system performance.
In areas where liquid circulates at an elevated speed and pressure fluctuations are hefty, the coolant’s inhibitors are in charge of protecting the engine against corrosion and damage. Thus, only the right coolant will fulfil its temperature-regulating mission.
Keep Reading: 10 reasons to choose Dolz products for your automobile spare parts
Main consequences of using unsuitable coolants
Coolants are specifically formulated to keep its designated engine type properly running in extreme temperatures. The use of unsuitable coolant liquids may result in the following complications:
- Solid, corrosive deposits and residues that can generate clogging.
- Origination of suspension solids caused by agitation of the water pump’s flow; leading to abrasive wear and causing leaks.
- Eventual damage of vehicle components, not only to the engine but to other core parts such as the water pump, radiator hoses or cylinder head gasket.
- Ultimate overheating and failure of the water pump, essential for vehicle functioning and performance.
How to choose the right type of engine coolant
A suitable coolant will be determined not only by the type of vehicle, also the climate and region where the vehicle is to be driven. The proportion of water and antifreeze, for instance, is usually a fifty-fifty mix, although in extremely cold weather conditions, the optimal percentage of antifreeze may rise to around sixty-five percent.
Engines are made of different materials, such as aluminium alloy or cast iron, which is why different coolants work best with particular engines. So, a key point to a safe choice is using the kind recommended by your vehicle manufacturer; every individual engine type has its specific needs.
Choosing the right coolant also requires considering its condition. Coolants have expiry dates, while they tend to deteriorate, so do not think of re-using the same water-based solution and make sure to refill the cooling system with a new coolant.
Last but not least, NEVER try mixing coolants either, because there is the probability that they will counteract each other.
Dolz’s recommended purging machine for optimal cleaning of the cooling system
There is no longer need for you to worry about spending vast amounts of time in exhaustively cleaning vehicles’ cooling system. Dolz’s nearly 90 years-experience as a water pump manufacturer have served to present the best practices for its maintenance.
Micrauto’s high-end technology machines eliminate at least 90% of residues in only 20-45 minutes, depending on each case. A highly efficient purging system that eradicates from iron oxide, to aluminium oxide, to oil residues.
