A cooling system is an automotive system that controls your vehicle’s engine temperature. It involves many auto parts, including the thermostat, radiator,
, water pipe, fan blade, fan clutch, hose clamp, thermostat housing, fan shroud, water pump kit, water pump pulley, block off plate, banjo fitting, thermostat gasket, bypass hose, cooling hose, water pump seal, thermostat kit, water pump gasket, water pump housing, and return hose.
How Does My Cooling System Work?
Your cooling system works by circulating
coolant through a series of cooling system parts. Circulation begins with the water pump—the main driver behind the cooling system. The water pump directs coolant to the engine block, where it collects heat.
From there, the coolant works its way to the cylinder head, where it collects even more heat from your running engine. The coolant then flows to the
thermostat, which, depending on the coolant temperature level, either allows coolant to flow through to the radiator or forces it through a bypass that leads back to the engine block.
If coolant flows through the thermostat, it continues to the radiator through the upper radiator hose. From there, it flows through the radiator core, where outside air coming in from your vehicle’s grille cools the coolant back down. The coolant then leaves the
radiator through the lower
radiator hose and winds its way back to the water pump, where the process begins anew.
Cooling System Problems
There are two obvious signs of a cooling system problem: an engine that overheats or an engine that runs too cold.
If your vehicle is running cold, the problem may be with your thermostat. A working thermostat detects coolant that is below the pre-set temperature and redirects it to the engine block, where it can gather more heat. To do this, the thermostat shuts closed and doesn’t allow coolant to flow through. A thermostat that is stuck open will allow too-cold coolant through, resulting in cold running. When this happens, it’s time to replace your thermostat. If your vehicle is overheating, the opposite may be true. Your thermostat could be stuck in the closed position, meaning hot coolant can’t reach the radiator to be cooled.
Overheating can also be the result of corrosion, busted hoses or a clogged radiator—all of which are commonly caused by old
antifreeze. Antifreeze contains anti-corrosion elements to keep your cooling system running its best. However, it loses its properties over time and should be cycled out and replaced on a regular basis. If bad antifreeze has done its damage, you may need to replace your radiator hoses or possible your entire radiator. Be sure to double-check with your local auto shop if you suspect this is the case.
Another sign of a cooling system problem is losing coolant. This is usually caused by leaky hoses. Brittle or corroded hoses tend to bust, releasing much-needed coolant. To remedy this situation, be sure to check your cooling hoses and radiator hoses for damage. This can be done by a visual check in some cases, or by taking your vehicle to your nearest shop.
Overall, your vehicle’s cooling system is an important part of proper vehicle function. If your cooling system is acting up, you may need a new radiator, thermostat, water pump, radiator hose or more. Luckily, AutoAnything makes it easy to get the parts you need at the lowest price.
Common Parts In Your Engine Cooling System
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