Technical Drawing

Cooling System

A vehicle engine runs best at a fairly high temperature. When the engine is cold, components wear out faster, the engine is less efficient and emits more pollution.

The vehicle's cooling system keeps your engine from overheating, allows the engine to heat up quickly and keeps the engine at the optimum running temperature.

The cooling system consists of:

• A radiator, which is a type of heat exchanger, is designed to transfer heat from the hot coolant that flows through it to the air blown through it by the cooling fan.
• The system also has a heater core, which looks like a miniature radiator. The coolant not only flows through the engine and radiator, but also flows through a heater core. An inside fan directs air across the heater core and the warmed air heats the interior of the vehicle when needed.

The coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze*.

A water pump circulates the coolant through the engine.

A thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the radiator.

An engine-cooling fan circulates air through the radiator so it can release the coolant heat within the radiator and is control by the engine computer.

Belts to operate the water pump and sometimes the cooling fan.

Hoses to carry the fluid.

*Most coolants are a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is ethylene glycol to which anti-corrosion additives are added. The coolant, in most systems, is usually 50% water and 50% antifreeze, which will provide protection up to -35 Celsius. In extremely cold areas a slightly higher mixture of antifreeze to water may be required with a maximum protection against freezing being achieved at 30% water to 70% antifreeze.

Note: Full strength antifreeze actually has a lower freezing point than when mixed with water.

Warning Signs:

• A pool of greenish yellow (occasionally red) liquid under the front of the vehicle could indicate a coolant leak.
• If the temperature gauge creeps up when the vehicle is in traffic or idling could indicate the coolant level is low.
• Squealing noise when first starting or driving at lower speeds could indicate a loose belt or a failing water pump.
• If your temperature rises rapidly followed by steam coming from under the front hood you should stop immediately and let the engine cool. Once the engine has cooled add water or antifreeze as needed and have the coolant system checked.
• Poor heating performance and excessive moisture on the windshield when the defroster is on could indicate a problem with the heater core.

If you are having problems come into your neighbour Speedy Auto Service where one of our qualified technicians will inspect your vehicle and provide you with a detailed report on what may need to be done, to get you back safely on the road.

Tip:

If your vehicle begins to overheat turn on your heater and open the windows of your vehicle. The heater will help dissipate the heat as the interior fan directs air across the heater core.