Hello! My name is Norman and I live with my family in a small town on the south coast of Australia. My son inspired me to start this blog about servicing your car. When my son turned 18, I bought him his first car. It wasn't a brand new car, so it needed a little love and care to keep it on the road. I learnt all I needed to know about auto repair and servicing from my uncle when I was a teenager. He spent a couple of weeks explaining how to look after my car, so I passed this knowledge onto my son. Unfortunately, he didn't listen and his car broke down so I sent him to the local car service centre so he could learn what he needed to know. I hope you like my car servicing blog.
As the temperatures inside your car's internal combustion engine can soar during everyday operation, you must ensure that the cooling system is always in excellent condition. This means that you need to do more than simply check the coolant level from time to time if you want to avoid problems that may arise in the future. So, how should you service this crucial system?
Getting More Information
It pays to have a general appreciation if you don't understand how a cooling system works. After all, this may help you pay attention to particular areas and realise just how important this job is.
How The Cooling System Works
An engine is primarily made up of two major components — the engine block and cylinder head. The separate parts are mated together and contain pistons, shafts, valves and other peripherals that work in concert to provide the energy. The engine block and cylinder head may have narrow passageways built into their design during manufacturing. A separate system is responsible for pumping coolant through these passageways to absorb the heat generated when the engine is firing.
The heated coolant is diverted through a series of pipes to the radiator fitted at the front. As the coolant passes through the radiator matrix (which is made up of narrow tubes and fins), it is exposed to the outside air, which will pour across its surface when you drive down the road. This rushing air will absorb the moisture, reducing the temperature of the coolant, which is then sent to the engine to start the process once again.
3 Areas Of Focus
You need to consider several potential challenges.
- The coolant will naturally deteriorate as it gets older and will eventually need to be changed.
- Microscopic metal particles can wear away from internal surfaces and be carried along with the coolant into the radiator matrix. Due to those narrow fins and tubes, this contamination can sometimes cause a blockage, compromising performance.
- Leaks can sometimes develop as the rubber hoses that transport the coolant deteriorate. If those leaks become significant, your engine is sure to overheat, causing internal damage.
What Happens During A Service Visit?
The best way to address all these challenges is to get your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The service technician will flush out the old coolant and get rid of any latent contamination. They'll also check and replace any rubber hoses that may be starting to degrade. Finally, they will pay attention to the outside of the radiator to ensure that there is no damage to the matrix.
Your Input
You can do your part of the bargain by checking the coolant levels frequently but don't miss those all-important service visits if you want to avoid potential issues. Reach out to a car servicing centre to learn more.