Three Main Parts Of Your Car's Cooling System
May 5th, 2009 Muscle CarsThree Main Parts Of Your Car’s Cooling System
Every minute you’re driving, your vehicle’s engine goes through its combustion process thousands of times. As it does, it produces intense heat. Nearly half of that heat leaves through the tailpipe and dissipates in the air. The other half must be absorbed by the parts that comprise your engine. That includes the cylinder heads, pistons, and other components.
On their own, these parts cannot withstand the high temperatures generated by combustion; they would start to malfunction and eventually fail completely. Luckily, your car has a cooling system. It is specifically designed to help these components soak up the excess heat without their being destroyed in the process.
Below, I’ll give you a brief overview of the three main parts that make up your vehicle’s cooling system. I’ll explain the job they do and how they help ensure your engine doesn’t overheat.
#1 – Water Pump
The “secret” behind your cooling system’s effectiveness is the coolant. It circulates throughout the engine and surrounding components, absorbing much of the excess heat along the way. Then, it travels into the radiator which is cooled by constant airflow.
In order to circulate, the coolant must be pumped along its path. This is the job of the water pump. It’s powered by your car’s timing belt, though older models might have a flat belt that powers the pump. If the timing belt breaks, it cannot operate the water pump, which will ultimately prevent the coolant from circulating and absorbing the heat.
#2 – Plumbing
By plumbing, I’m referring to the auto parts through which the coolant travels. That includes a network of hoses, valves, and the radiator. It also includes the heater core, but that’s less important for this discussion. We’re mainly concerned with the hoses. Because the hot coolant travels through them continuously, they deteriorate quickly. A lot of car enthusiasts recommend replacing the hoses every three years. However, you should check them for cracks and fissures every four months. The hoses are relatively inexpensive, so if you notice crack – even small ones – replace them.
#3 – Sensors And Thermostat
Your car’s cooling system is equipped with sensors, fans, and a thermostat to monitor and control the temperature around the engine. They work together as a team to help make sure the temperature does not exceed a certain limit. If any of these parts fail, the temperature can rise higher than normal. When that happens, your vehicle’s performance can be hampered and emissions will likely rise.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of your vehicle’s cooling system. When all of the components involved work properly, your car’s engine will perform its combustion process without problem. However, if the water pump, hoses or valves, or sensors or thermostat malfunction, your vehicle can overheat. And that can easily lead to expensive engine damage.