Car Cooling System, Dorking, Surrey
When running, an engine will become extremely hot. If not regulated, excessive heat can cause damage to an engine, leading to huge repair bills and costs.
Generally, this regulation happens by the engine being constantly flushed with a cooling liquid. Mixed with water, coolant is circulated round the engine at great pressure, collecting heat as it passes through.
How does the cooling system work?
The main components of the cooling system are:
- The radiator
- Cooling Fan
- Water Pump
- Reserve Tank
- Thermostat
- Hoses
- Gaskets/Seals
- Coolant Fluid
The engine cooling process is very important and failure of this process can have major consequences for the engine.
The main steps of the process are:
- Coolant is sent around a network of pipes and channels by the water pump
- The coolant collects heat within the engine, drawing it away.
- Through the exterior rubber pipes, the coolant is sent to the radiator
- Between the radiator, cooling fan and outside air coming through the front grille, the coolant is then cooled before being recirculated
- The thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant. If coolant is still not hot enough to be sent to the radiator, it is sent straight back to the engine to continue collecting heat.
- Any excess coolant is stored within the reserve tank, to ensure there is always the correct level of coolant within the engine.
Knowing the importance of your vehicle’s cooling system could mean the difference in a happy, healthy car, and having to spend hundreds of pounds on large, avoidable repairs.
How do i maintain the cooling system?
Over time, the coolant liquid can become weak and discoloured. It is important to have coolant regularly changed as fresh coolant has a much higher heat resistance that older, used coolant. Most manufacturers would recommend having the coolant system flushed and liquid changed every three years.
What happens if my coolant leaks?
A coolant leak can be catastrophic of an engine. Without correct levels of coolant and water, the engine is starved of its cooling ability, meaning it is allowed to get a lot hotter than it should. As a result, the engine will very quickly over heat, creating damage to both the top and bottom halves of the engine. Most commonly, the result is a blown head gasket and warped cylinder head. These faults can result in repairs costing thousands of pounds.
At Tutts, we provide our technicians with modern equipment to be able to carry out coolant checks and changes safely and correctly. It is extremely important that coolant is never mishandled or checked whilst the vehicle is still hot or running. It can be a very dangerous substance, as well as corrosive and an irritant to the skin. Because of this, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Allow our technicians to carry out the cooling system maintenance safely.