Auto Repair Articles: Knowing Your Cooling System

The first thing that comes to our mind upon hearing the term “cooling system” is our car AC. There is more to cooling systems, however, than just being a car air conditioner.

Your cooling system is what keeps your vehicle from experiencing a meltdown. It maintains the temperature of the engine in proper levels. Without cooling systems, your engine will become useless in no time.

The following are the basic parts of a cooling system:

1. Coolant – Also known as the refrigerant or antifreeze, coolants move around the car engine to absorb and dissipate heat.
2. Radiator – Radiators are one of the major parts of the cooling system. Coolant that has travelled through the engine is pumped through the tubes of the radiator to be cooled off for another round.
3. Radiator Hoses – These moves the coolant from one part of the engine to the next. Auto repair should be done once any of these hoses become brittle and crack.
4. Water Pump – As its name suggests, this part pumps the coolant through the whole system.
5. Thermostat – As with any system, thermostat serves as the temperature controlling device of the cooling system. It does this by controlling the flow of coolant.
6. Electric cooling fan – Fans are added for extra cooling. The fan draws air through the radiator when the car is not moving fast enough so that things still cool down.
7. Thermo-time switch - Also known as the fan switch, this signals when the electric fan when to blow. Be sure to take notice of this temperature sensor so as to stay away from unnecessary auto repair.

Engine damage due to overheating can be a costly auto repair scenario. Avoid this unforeseen incident by being observant to these following cooling system repair signals:

1. Abnormal gauge and temperature warning lamp;
2. Coolant leaks;
3. No heat even with the heater on;
4. Sweet smelling engine.

In addition, do your best to remember these tips in avoiding coolant system repair:

1. Do not drive an overheating car. It can cause extensive damage to the car’s engine and transmission.
2. Do not attempt to drive a car without a coolant.
3. Do not try to remove a hot radiator cap. Radiators are filled with boiling hot water, so unless you want to get burns, stay away from this.
4. Always seek professional attention when dealing with cooling system repair. But if it is an emergency and you are left on your own, know that you should not add water to an overheating engine while it is running. Doing so damages the car engine.
   
   
   

Guy’s Automotive
3049 West Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614
(813)353-1537
http://guysautomotive.com