the coolantsystem

Frozen coolant can lead to serious engine damage, even a possible cracked block, so it is important

that the coolant be freeze protected.

cooling systems require maintenance in order to keep them operating at a peak efficiency

the coolant itself is absolutely critical and making sure to have this replaced every two to three years is a good maintenance practice

the coolant then makes its way upward into the cylinder head, and then returns to the inlet of the water pump through the bypass tube.

As long as the thermostat is closed engine is below operating temperature, the coolant will continue to circulate in this manner

when the thermostat opens, hot coolant moves past the thermostat into the upper radiator hose, and then the coolant enters the radiator itself

One of the methods used to raise the boiling point of the water is using a coolant made up of a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol and water

This same 50/50 mix will also raise boiling point of the coolant

This is important in hot weather because it makes the coolant that much more efficient at transferring heat.

The strengh of the coolant should be kept at a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water

This will ensure that the coolant has sufficient freeze protection and corrosion resistance

there are two types of cooling systems

air- cooling, where air is circulated over cooling fins on the outside of the engine to remove excess heat.

other things to watch for are the condition of the belt driving the water pump,

and that there are no leaks in the system.most often leak will be external and can be observed as it drips from hoses connection or faulty cooling system components

Coolant recovery bottle forms a reservoir for coolant to flow in and out the cooling system

as the engine increases and decreases in temperature

Radiator caps incorporate two separate valves and a vacuum valve

as the engine warms up, the coolant in the cooling system will tend to expand.

radiator cap is responsible for maintaining pressure in the system, and allowing

coolant to transfer between the coolant reservoir and the radiator

Water pump: responsible for moving coolant through the

cooling system in order to transfer and control heat

Radiator is responsible for transferring heat

from the coolant to the outside air

Bypass tube: allows coolant to flow back into the water pump

from the cylinder head when the thermostat is closed

When the engine is shut down and begins to cool, the coolant will contract and create a low- pressure area inside the cooling system

if left unchecked, this low - pressure in the cooling system would cause the radiator hoses to collapse and can have an adverse effect on the cooling system at engine start up

the major components of a water - cooling system

include

the boiling point of the coolant is raised approx. 3 Fahrenheit a 15 psi radiator cap would then raise the boiling

point of the coolant to 212 Fahrenheit to 260 Fahrenheit

This expansion will raise the pressure in the cooling system, but when the pressure reaches the radiator caps rating

the pressure valve in the radiator cap will lift and allow some coolant to flow from the radiator into the coolant recovery bottle.

the other method is raising the pressure in the cooling system

the radiator cap is responsible for this, and most are designed to maintain anywhere from 9 to 16 pounds per square inch psi of pressure that is placed on the cooling system,

water jacket: hollow section in the engine block and cylinder head that allow coolant to be transferred through them

there are the areas that the coolant must absorb heat from

a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol and water will not freeze until its tempature reaches 34 farhenheit

this is the reason why its called anti freeze.

Radiator hoses flexible hoses that allow hot coolant to flow

between the engine and the vehicle radiator

This flow will continue as the cooling system pressure exceeds the rating of the radfiator cal

the coolant level in the recovery bottle will rise until the engine reaches operating temperature

coolant is circulated through the engine by belt or timing chain driven water pump.

the engine crankshaft drives the belt, so the water pump actually uses engine power to operate it. the water pump takes coolant in an pushes it into the engine block

Engine coolant is normally made up of 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water

the most common type of antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which has some exceptional properties which makes it especially suited to be an automotive engine coolant

The second type is

water - cooling, uses a liquid coolant to pick up excess heat and then rejects that heat through a radiator

Thermostat controls engine temperature by allowing coolant to flow into the radiator

when the coolant temperature rises above a certain level