Fixxr Mobile Mechanics | White
Search
Close this search box.

What is in your car’s cooling system?

A basic understanding of the cooling system, its jobs, and how to maintain it can save you both time and money. Not all parts of your car’s cooling system are equal; some are more critical than others concerning the system’s overall function. The four most important going from front to back are — the radiator, intake air heater, fan, and thermostat.

 

The cooling system is not just a radiator.

The cooling system isn’t just a radiator. The cooling system is a closed-loop that keeps your engine from overheating.

The cooling system has four components: the radiator, the thermostat, the pressure cap and the coolant.

Team2_UPL_Over50_DisplayAd

The cooling system has four jobs.

The cooling system has four main jobs. They are to cool the engine, circulate the coolant, remove excess heat from the coolant, and maintain a constant temperature for the coolant. This is done by combining metals in your cooling system that expand and contract at different rates. They also have different densities, absorbing heat from other places and transferring it away. If you don’t have enough metal or the correct type of metal in your cooling system, then it can cause things to overheat or melt.

 

Cooling systems fail because of age and poor maintenance.

A cooling system that has not been maintained can fail due to:

Improperly mixed antifreeze coolant. The mix of water and antifreeze in your radiator should be 50/50. If it is not, the engine could overheat.

Leaking hoses. The two upper radiator hoses and two heater hoses are most prone to leakage, especially if they are old or neglected.

Faulty thermostat. A defective thermostat doesn’t open wide enough, allowing the gasses to build up rather than venting like they should be doing through the expansion tank. If the gasses aren’t allowed to escape, your vehicle will overheat quickly.

Broken or loose fan belt. If a fan belt is broken or loose, it will cause an overheating problem because the water pump isn’t pushing antifreeze throughout your vehicle’s cooling system properly as designed by the manufacturer due to this lack of power on its part from not being fully engaged with your car’s engine as it should be for maximum performance efficiency

.Team2_UPL_Between30-50_DisplayAd

If the warning light comes on, see your mechanic immediately.

The engine will still get coolant, but it may not be enough to keep it from overheating. A failure in the cooling system can cause severe damage to your vehicle, and it can happen quickly. It’s usually best to have your car towed in this case instead of driving it.

 

Most cooling is done by the radiator fan.

The radiator fan is powered by a rubber belt connected to the engine crankshaft.

The fan is controlled by different things in different cars. Still, it generally comes on when needed via a thermostat or temperature sensor.

Some fans may turn on only at full speed (two-speed fans), while others may vary their speed as needed (variable-speed fans). The latter offers better fuel economy and reduced noise.

In some cars, the radiator fan is controlled by the engine control unit (ECU) based on signals from the vehicle’s various sensors, rather than using a separate temperature sensor or thermostat.

 

If you need repairs for your car’s cooling system, give us a call today!

We can help you with repairs big and small—contact us to get a free quote.

Without a working cooling system, you could damage your engine or even end up stranded on the side of the road. Don’t wait to call a mechanic if you see steam or notice your car overheating. The sooner you call, the less likely your radiator will fail completely.

Team2_UPL_Below30_DisplayAd

Take care of your car’s cooling system

Poorly maintained cars are a significant cause of breakdown and failure. If the cooling system isn’t properly maintained, it won’t function as it should, and your engine will suffer. Here’s how to keep your engine cool and run correctly.

Engine coolant, different from anti-freeze, is vital to a car’s cooling system.

An engine’s cooling system is the set of mechanisms that controls the temperature of an engine. This is important because an engine can quickly overheat if it runs too hot.

When a car has been sitting for a few hours, check the temperature of its radiator. You can do this by touching a radiator hose or feeler gauge, which should be attached to the radiator cap and remain cool to the touch when the engine is cold. If you don’t have either of these, you can use your hand—just make sure it isn’t too hot!

The cooling system uses both air and water to regulate temperature. The air, which flows through most of the system, dissipates heat while the water absorbs and carries it away from moving parts. This process only works when there is enough liquid in the system—and this liquid needs to be coolant, not anti-freeze (anti-freeze can mix with coolant but should never replace it).

The engine coolant needs to be changed periodically.

The engine coolant needs to be changed periodically. How often depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year. Ask a mechanic or consult your owner’s manual if you don’t know where to find the appropriate change-out frequency. You can do it yourself or have it done at a car shop. For those who like doing their own work on their cars, here’s how you’ll know when it needs to be changed:

Check the coolant level on the overflow reservoir (usually located under the hood next to the radiator cap) when the engine is cold and hasn’t run for several hours. The coolant should be up to or near your reservoir tank’s “full” line. If it isn’t, add more by pouring enough into the tank so that it reaches that line once again.

Take a look at your coolant’s colour—it should be bright green if your vehicle was made within the last 20 years (if not, contact a mechanic for guidance on what colour is correct for your specific make and model). If you see any brown discolouration in addition to green, or if any contaminants are floating around in there—tiny white flakes or chunks of anything else—you’re long overdue for an engine coolant swap-out and need to take care of that immediately.

When draining out old coolant and replacing it with new stuff, don’t blow off that step where you must thoroughly flush out all remaining traces of old fluid before refilling with new things! That process will ensure that no nasty deposits are left behind to cause problems down the road and void any warranty claims later on if necessary (remember how vital warranties are!).

I would like my coolant changed

The timing belt should be replaced as part of getting your oil changed.

It’s essential to take care of your car’s timing belt. It should be replaced every 96 000 kilometres or 2.5 years (whichever comes first). The timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft so that the valves open and closes at the proper times during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. If a timing belt fails, it can cause catastrophic engine damage by allowing the piston to hit a valve that isn’t properly closed. A broken timing belt can also allow a damaged engine to rotate backwards, causing even more damage to internal components. Timing belts are part of your car’s cooling system, which we will discuss below.

I would like my timing belt replaced


The oil in your car should also be changed periodically.

It is recommended that you change the oil every six months, but some people say 5000 km, and some say 8000 km. For example, many experts suggest that you should change it around every 5000 km for conventional motor oil. However, you can often go as long as 8–11 thousand kilometres with synthetic motor oils before needing an oil change. Some newer cars even have a sensor telling you when to change the oil.


You should occasionally check your power steering fluid level and replace or top it up if necessary.

You should occasionally check your power steering fluid level and replace or top it up if necessary. Although the power steering fluid is designed to last a long time, it should be changed every three months or 40 000 kilometres along with the rest of your car’s fluids.

Specifications for each vehicle will vary, but you’ll need to check your power steering fluid when the engine is cold and when it’s hot. If you check before starting the car, you can see how low the level has gotten while driving; if you check after letting your car run for a while, you’ll see how much was added by topping it off.


Keeping your car clean inside and out is vital to avoid damage and rusting.

It is essential to keep your car clean inside and out to avoid damage and rusting. Use a good car shampoo, warm water and a bucket to wash your vehicle once weekly. You must also regularly wax your car for added protection against the elements. It is crucial to keep the engine clean as it can become filthy from the accumulation of road grime, grease and oil. You should use soapy water with a scrubbing brush to ensure that all the dirt buildups have been removed from all the pipes, wires and hoses in the engine bay.

Do not use a pressure washer on your engine, as this could drive water into sensitive electrical components and cause short circuits or even fires! You should also be careful not to use too much pressure on all of the other parts of your vehicle as it could damage paintwork, seals etc. The interior should be vacuumed once or twice a month, with additional attention to removing any stains on carpets or upholstery.


If you follow these steps regularly, you can prolong the life of your vehicle.

If you follow these steps regularly, you can prolong your vehicle’s life and avoid buying a new one for many years. As with all things, consistency is essential. It’s easy to get tempted to skip this maintenance step, but if you do that, your cooling system won’t receive the regular care it needs when it needs it.

One way to help yourself be more consistent is to keep a log of the maintenance checks you perform on your car’s cooling system. Keeping an ongoing record lets you track how often maintenance is performed on different system parts and lets you know when they’re due again.


Don’t forget about those car belts

We love your car too. We encourage you to continue regular routine maintenance—including replacing the belts in your vehicle when they show signs of wear and tear.

Checking on the belts at least once a month is a good idea; you can do it yourself without any special equipment. Simply open the bonnet of your car and take a quick look. If you see any cracks, nicks, or other irregularities in the belt, it’s time to have it replaced.

If you’re unsure what to look for when checking belts, ask your local mechanic for more information—we’re sure they’ll be happy to help!


Belts can get damaged by the elements.

Some car belts are made of rubber—just like car tires. And just like tires, they can also be worn down and become brittle as they age and are exposed to sunlight, heat, rain and cold. It’s essential to routinely inspect all belts for cracks or fraying and look at the belt-tensioning system (if there is one) for wear. That’s because a broken belt means your car stops working properly—which can cause severe damage to other parts of your vehicle. If you’re unsure what to look for, take your car in for routine maintenance so the mechanic can spot problems early on and replace belts before it’s too late. It’s better to replace a belt now than pay for repairs later!


Belts can get frayed simply from use.

Belts can also get frayed simply from use. As you drive around, the belts in and around your engine constantly turn, thus wearing down over time. Not only this, but the heat of your engine can also cause wear; it’s pretty hot in there! The chemicals from the engine can also cause wear on belts. If you look down into your car’s engine when it’s running (we don’t recommend it!), you’ll see many things moving around inside there. Debris and other materials or chemicals may get stuck in between belt grooves and start to tear them up over time.


Damaged belts can make squeaking noises.

When your serpentine belt gets loose, it can move around in the pulley and make a squealing sound. The same happens when the belt or the pulley is loose or worn. If the bearing or bushing for a tensioner or idler pulley is worn, it will also make noise as it moves around.

If the belt is very tight, it can also cause noise. Sometimes you can hear a thumping sound from underneath your vehicle if this happens.


Damaged belts can cause your car to overheat.

As we have mentioned in our discussion of serpentine belts, a broken belt can cause your car to overheat. Belt damage can be hard to spot, but it’s essential to keep an eye on the condition of all your belts because they can fail without warning, causing damage and leaving you stranded by the side of the road.

It’s easy to overlook worn or damaged belts because they frequently don’t show any outward signs that they’re about to fail. However, if you notice cracks in the belt material or excessive wear, it’s time for a replacement. You should also have your mechanic check them regularly and replace them before they break.

Replacing your damaged serpentine belt with a new one is generally inexpensive. It may not happen right now, but eventually, all car parts wear out—so don’t forget about those car belts! However, suppose you neglect this maintenance item for too long and end up with a broken belt (and possibly other damages), it will be more expensive than just replacing your belts ahead of schedule.


Check your car belts regularly for wear and tear, and replace them when necessary.

  • Check your belts at least once a year or every 32 000 kilometres.
  • Look for cracks, brittleness, fraying and wear.
  • Check for oil and grease on the belt, as this can cause them to slip.
  • Check for proper tension.

Like anything else, car belts are at risk of breaking every time you use them. This means that certain parts will eventually tear and wear down over time, potentially leading to a scenario where the belt breaks altogether, leading to terrible things. Fortunately, in most cases, if you notice that your vehicle’s belts need replacing, it’s likely a straightforward procedure. It won’t cost a whole lot of money either. They aren’t the most exciting thing to discuss, but you should still know how to care for them properly.

Read More: Benefits of regular maintenance

Tell us about the service or issue you need help with