Engine Cooling Systems
Your vehicle’s engine creates considerable heat while generating the energy necessary to move as well as power all its electrical systems. Exceeding the temperature range your engine was designed to operate within can have broad and long-lasting consequences on the longevity of your engine. Whether your engine runs a little hot on a consistent basis or experiences occasional overheating, problems with overheating generally are a result of a failure in the cooling system.
The cooling system in your engine is designed to keep the engine in its ideal operating temperature. It is present to ensure that the heat your engine generates is kept from reaching dangerous temperatures. It consists primarily of your radiators, hoses, and coolant fluid.
Coolant: Coolant is a fluid designed to be ultra-efficient at transporting heat. When coolant is kept topped up and at the right concentration, it is best able to perform the job of managing engine temperature. When it drops too low it is not able to cool your engine properly, which accelerates wear-and-tear and can cause overheating issues. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant when it comes to monitoring & maintaining coolant levels.
Hoses: Coolant system hoses transport coolant where it needs to be. Generally made of rubber, they are particularly good at accommodating vibration, but will generally wear from the inside out. Coolant is mildly corrosive to rubber, and at high concentration will damage coolant hoses over time. Thus it’s a good idea to check the condition of your hoses and replace as needed.
Radiator: The purpose of the radiator is to disperse heat. Coolant will flow over the components of your vehicle, sapping their heat, and transporting it through hoses to the radiator. The radiator will run this coolant through a metal lattice, transferring heat from the coolant to the air within your engine bay, where it is then dispelled to the external environment.
As you can now see, regular investments of a little time and energy into maintaining these components will go a long way to ensuring the longevity and consistent reliability of your vehicle. If you’re handy with cars and love to tinker under the hood, great! We can relate. If you want professional service on your engine, including the cooling system as well as other components, trust the friendly tech team at Progressive Automotive Repair in Regina. We’ll give a thorough and accurate diagnosis, and we’re honest and up-front in letting you know about repair vs. replacement.