Why Regular Cooling System Maintenance Is Essential
You see the warning light on your dash. Then steam wafting up from under the hood. Then you’re on the side of the road, wondering what went wrong. The likely answer? Your cooling system’s shot.
Your cooling system doesn’t ask for much—just a little routine care to keep your engine running safely all year round. In this blog post, we’ll reveal why maintenance is crucial and what mechanics look for during a cooling system check on your vehicle.
I Don’t Need My A/C: Can I Wait?
When automotive technicians mention “a cooling system,” they aren’t referring to the air conditioner.
Your vehicle’s cooling system moves heat to and from the engine, keeping it running between 75 ˚C and 105 ˚C. Without it, your engine could soar to an astounding 2204 °C—no typo here! Your a/c uses refrigerant, not coolant to work.
If your A/C isn’t working, read here for more information.
How Does a Cooling System Work?
A cooling system transfers heat to control temperature. Let’s look at an everyday example of heat transfer first.
Keeping Your Coffee Hot
When you pull a mug out of the cupboard for your morning coffee, the mug is comfortable to touch. However, once you’ve poured your coffee in, the mug becomes hot.
This difference in the mug’s temperature is due to heat transfer: the heat of the near-boiling water in your mug transfers through the mug to your hand. If you put a cozy around your mug or a lid on it, you’re trying to minimize heat transfer so your coffee stays hot longer.
Cooling Systems in Vehicles
The cooling system in most modern consumer vehicles uses liquid to help the engine both heat up when it starts and cool down when it gets too hot. This liquid goes by several names: coolant, antifreeze, and refrigerant are perhaps the most common, but not all are correct:
- Antifreeze consists mostly of either propylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
- Coolant is a mix of antifreeze and water.
- Refrigerant is a different chemical, designed for your vehicle’s a/c.
A cooling system circulates coolant through the engine, either collecting heat and moving it to another location, such as outside the vehicle to dissipate it, or into the cabin for heating.
However, when you start your engine in winter, the cooling system briefly halts coolant flow. In this situation, the coolant serves as an insulator, absorbing heat and channeling it back to the engine, allowing it to warm up faster.
Signs Your Cooling System May Be Broken
Most problems in a cooling system result in the engine overheating or running cold. We’ll cover the major symptoms of each problem here.
Engine Overheating: Symptoms
Overheating can cause extreme (and potentially permanent) damage to your engine. Sometimes, it can even lead to a fire.
Common symptoms of engine overheating include:
- knocking or thumping noises
- smoke or steam coming from the hood
- reduced power
- red “h” on the temperature gauge
- burning smell
Don’t ignore these signs! Addressing overheating symptoms promptly can lead to a quick, low-cost repair for your vehicle.
Engine Running Cold: Symptoms
This issue is often less dangerous than overheating, but it will cause future problems. Running cold can result in many problems:
- an inefficient engine
- oil contamination
- higher exhaust emissions
- increased wear on the engine itself
- reduction in horsepower
- poor fuel mileage
- formation of engine deposits
If these problems continue, you risk further damage and expensive repairs to your engine.
Here are some signs your engine may be running at a lower-than-optimal temperature:
- The temperature gauge is reading very low.
- The fuel economy has dropped.
What Does Maintenance on a Cooling System Look Like?
When you take your vehicle into a garage, a mechanic will inspect it. They may examine any of the following components:
- Ensure your vehicle has enough clean coolant.
- Inspect hoses for cracks and other damage that could lead to a coolant leak.
- Test the engine to confirm it’s not overheating or running cold.
- Conduct a pressure test on the cooling system to diagnose leaks in other components.
A maintenance appointment may include a coolant flush to replace the coolant itself. Should the mechanic find any issues with your cooling system, they must call you first to obtain your approval to continue with the repairs.
For questions about your coolant system, or to schedule a maintenance appointment, visit a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre and speak with an expert.