Automotive Cooling System By Hunter Miller
Automotive Cooling System
By Hunter Miller
What is it?
• A way to cool your engine using liquid.• Keeps engine at proper operating
temperature.(200 Degrees F)• Also has other functions such as running your
heater inside your car.
Components
• Radiator• Fan• Coolant• Water Pump• Heater Core• Thermostat
Radiator
• Made of Aluminum. • Allows hot coolant to cool.• Uses fins to guide air flow around coolant
hose.• Many have side tanks to cool other fluids as
well.
Fan
• Made of metal or plastic.• Either motor driven or electric.• Motor driven fans are usually used on Rear-
wheeled drive, and electric is used on Front-wheeled drive cars.
• Used to pull air through radiator to cool coolant.
• Usually used with a shroud made of plastic or metal to properly guide air flow.
Fans Cont.
• Most electric fans are connected to a thermostat which controls when they operate.
• Clutch fans are used to control engine operated fans. These engage at certain temperatures also but the clutch itself controls it.
Water Pump
• Centrifugal Design meaning the coolant is pushed outwards.
• This causes the fluid to move throughout the system.
• Pulley driven.
Thermostat
• Allows coolant to enter radiator once engine is at operating temperature.
• Helps engine stay at operating temperature.• Once engine cools it shuts again blocking off
the radiator.
Heater Core
• A small radiator located inside dash.• Once “heater” is turned on coolant is allowed
into heater core.• A fan called a blower motor then forces air
through heater core warming it and then blows it into car.
Coolant
• Most modern day coolant is ethylene glycol, also called antifreeze.
• Doesn’t freeze and has a higher boiling point then water so its more efficient.
• It is very toxic though and is harmful if swallowed. It is a bright green similar to the background of this to warn humans of what it is so its doesn’t get drank.
Coolant Cont.
• Has a sweet taste so sadly pets and other animals are attracted to it if not disposed of properly.
• Many new efficient non toxic coolants have been hitting the market such as propylene glycol.
Problems
• Leaks are the most common problem.• They can be tested for using a cooling system
pressure tester.• Usually a minor fix such as hoses, clamps, or
gaskets.• Other problems include component
malfunctions such as radiators, fans, thermostats or water pumps not working correctly.