Automotive Cooling System

(Because of the complex nature of the cooling system this is presented in multiple parts. Be sure to read and study each part before attempting and repairs on the cooling system.)

A cooling system of some kind is necessary in any cars internal combustion engine. If no cooling system were provided, parts would melt from the heat of the burning fuel and pistons would expand so much they would seize (could not move in the cylinders).

Combustion (the burning of the air/fuel mixture in your engine) sometimes reach as high as 4500^oF; average temperatures of the combustion are close to 2000^oF. Aluminum pistons melt at about 1225^oF, so this heat must be carried off rapidly to prevent damage to the engine.

The cars cooling system is an essential but often neglected area of vehicle preventative maintenance. A thorough knowledge of the operation of the system will provide you with the ability to understand how the system works and how to maintain it in good working order.

A cars liquid cooling system is made up of the following part:

• The coolant pump, commonly called a water pump, circulates coolant throughout the system.

• The radiator; conducts heat away from the coolant.

• Radiator hoses connect the parts of the cooling system.

• The fan; pulls air through the radiator when the car is not moving fast enough to move the air.

• The thermostat; controls the temperature of the coolant.

• Coolant is circulated to the heater in the passenger compartment.

• Radiator Cap; designed to seal the system so that is operates under 14 to 17 psi. The higher temperatures result higher pressure. Each psi place on the coolant increases the boiling point about 3.23^oF. Since current radiator caps maintain a pressure of about 15 psi, the boiling point would be raised to 272^oF (133^oC).

___________________________________________________________

  Warning: Never remove the radiator cap when the coolant is hot. Temperatures rise rapidly during the first few minutes after the engine is stopped, causing coolant to boil. Pressurized coolant may shoot from the radiator if the cap is removed, casing severe burns.

___________________________________________________________

Other readers found these articles interesting as well.

Cooling System 2

Cooling System | Basics

Fuel Delivery Systems

Tires and Wheels

Back to Top

###