YHM CAN HELP KEEP YOUR ENGINE COOL
The modern vehicle cooling system has not changed much from the cooling systems in the Model T back in the 1920s. It has become much more reliable and efficient at doing its job, but the basic cooling system still consists of liquid coolant being circulated through the engine, then out to the radiator to be cooled by the air stream coming through the front grill of the vehicle.
There are three main purposes of a vehicle cooling system:
1. Bringing the engine up to the correct operating temperature as quickly as possible.
2. Maintaining the engine operating temperature for optimum performance.
3. Removing the excess heat from the engine.
The cooling system has six main components—the engine, radiator, water pump, cooling fan, hoses, and the thermostat. During the combustion process, depending on the engine and driving conditions, as much as 70% of the energy created is converted into heat.
The excess engine heat is transferred to the coolant being circulated through the engine by the water pump. Hoses carry the heated coolant to the radiator, where the cooling fan assists in transferring the heat to the air that is being blown through the radiator. The cooled fluid is then carried back to the water pump and recirculated throughout the engine.
The thermostat assists with this process. A thermostat is a valve that opens and closes as a function of the temperature of the fluid flowing through it. It isolates the engine from the radiator until it has reached a minimum temperature.
Without a thermostat, the engine would lose heat to the radiator and take much longer to warm up. Once the engine has reached the desired operating temperature, the thermostat adjusts flow to the radiator to maintain a stable temperature.
At times, the coolant isn’t hot enough to open the thermostat all the way. When this happens, the engine is dependent on the radiator to keep the coolant temperature stable. If there is enough airflow through the radiator, the engine will not overheat. If for some reason the airflow rate is not adequate, the engine may overheat.
Other common causes of overheating are:
• loss of coolant due to a leak in the system
• a blockage in the hoses or passages in the radiator and/or engine
• a malfunctioning water pump
• a broken thermostat
YHM can inspect your cooling system, troubleshoot, and make any recommended repairs to keep your engine cool and you on the road.