AUTOMOTIVE COOLING SYSTEMS

Purpose of the Cooling system

Control temperature of hot

combustion. 4000 degree temps. could seriously damage engine parts. Provide Heat for passenger Compartment Cool Trans fluid & Oil Heat moves from warm to cold

Cooling System Types

Air Cooling Oil Cooling Liquid or Water

Cooled

Cooling System Parts

Water Jackets

Surrounds the

cylinders with water passage. Absorbs heat from the cylinder wall. Pump move water to radiator where heat is exchanged to the air.

Water Pump
Non-positive

displacement pump which circulates coolant around cooling system. Simple impeller design. Usually driven by drive belt from crankshaft.
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Water Pump
Leakage Weep hole Noise bearing

Radiators
A radiator is a heat

exchanger. Tube and fin style the most popular. Made of copper and brass or aluminum and plastic. 3 (radiator, evaporator, heater core)
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Radiator Types
Two types of

radiator construction. Down-flow

Cross-flow Aerodynamic Lower hood lines
older

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Radiator Fans

Keeps air moving

through the radiator when the car is not moving. Several types: rigid, flex (not used much anymore), viscous clutch and electric.
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Fans
All liquid cooled engines require a fan to move

the air through the radiator when the vehicle is not moving at a sufficient speed through the air. Many different designs are used.

Electric Fan
Electric fans put very little drag on an engine and can turn on and off automatically when needed.

Solid Fan
Solid fans are driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft and take a lot of engine power to turn at all times (needed or not). This is the least economical of all fans but is a good choice for plows or trucks working in the woods.

Flex Fan
These fans are also belt driven from the crankshaft and run at all times. The big difference is that the blades straighten out at high speeds (when a fan is not needed) reducing the drag on the engine.

 Clutch fans (for some reason) are popular on trucks and

four wheel drive vehicles. (thought) - This doesnt make sense if the vehicle is to be used to plow snow or be driven through the woods at slow speed. Slow speed operation can prevent the hot air passing through the radiator therefore the clutch will not lock up the fan. (not enough air passing through the radiator at slow speeds) When this happens the engine can be overheating and the fan will not suck the needed air through the radiator to cool things down.

Thermostat
Controls coolant

temperature. Uses a temperature sensor and a valve. Usually opens around 195 degrees F.

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Thermostat Failure
If it fails in the open

position engine runs cold. No heat, poor gas mileage, gunks up motor oil and engine insides. If it fails closed: look out! It creates pressure in the engine well beyond normal limits. Many types of damage may occur.
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Radiator Cap
The cap allows access

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to the cooling system for filling and testing. The cap has two valves: a pressure relief valve set at around 15 PSI and a vacuum valve which is needed when the engine cools down. Raises boiling point of fluid Able to take on more heat

Coolant Recovery Tank

Keeps the coolant level full

in the system at all times. Works in conjunction with the radiator cap. When the engine heats up the coolant expands and flows to the recovery tank. When the engine coolant the coolant contracts and creates a vacuum and draws the fluid back into the radiator. Reduces air in system 21 Reduces rust

Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS)

Reports to computer Gauges Location Block Head Radiator tank

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Fan Shroud
Causes the air to be

channeled through the radiator. Making the radiator more efficient. Also provides safety from the spinning fan blades.

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Heater
The hot water in the

cooling system is used warm the passenger compartment. A small radiator called a heater core is located in the dash area. Heater hoses direct the hot water to and from it.
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Heating System

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Coolant
Several types of anti-

freeze available. Ethylene glycol most common. (its green) Dexcool (its orange and lasts 5 years) Propylene glycol (nontoxic)
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Coolant
50/50 mix Freeze protection -84 F Overheat protection 276

F Corrosion PH test 9.8 10.5

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Radiator Hoses & Heater Hoses

The upper and lower radiator

hoses direct the fluid from the engine to the radiator and back. Radiator hoses are a special part for each car.
Radiator

Heater
Bypass

Heater hoses do the same for the

heater core. Heater hoses are generic and come in ,5/8, and diameter sizes.
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Drive Belts
V-Belts
Serpentine Belts

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Alternative uses
Cool oil Cool transmission fluid

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Cooling System Service

System inspection Winterization Cooling system flushing

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Cooling System Inspection

Check coolant level. Check belt tension.

Check anti-freeze

protection. Check coolant condition. Check coolant pH. Leak check system. Check radiator cap.

Check belt condition.

Check hose

condition. Blow out radiator fins. Check thermostat. Check radiator fan. Check water pump.

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Winterize
Term used by repair industry. It usually means

a cooling inspection plus a coolant flush.

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 Manual drain and refill. Flushing using the

Cooling System Flushing

Flush and Fill machine.

Flush & Fill w/ Tee Recycling coolant.

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Replacing a Water Pump

Drain cooling system Remove hoses Remove pump & GASKET Install new pump and

gasket attach hoses and belts Refill and check system

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