Cooling System and Radiator Fluid
Modern engines create more power in a smaller engine displacement and run hotter than they used to. This places a burden on the vehicle’s cooling system. When everything is running well, the modern vehicle cooling system should have no problem keeping up. But when conditions become extreme or cooling fluids become exhausted within the radiator and cooling system, then problems begin to develop.
 Typical Cooling System |
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When you start your vehicle, the temperature of your engine will be below normal operating temperature, and you should allow the vehicle to reach normal operating termperature before your begin driving. The Temperature Sensor will send a signal to the temperature gauge on your dash panel that will show you when the vehicle has reached the standard operating temperature. As the vehicle heats up, the Water Pump (shown as gray with yellow impeller blades) circulates the engine coolant first through the top for Head Cooling and then around the block for Block Cooling as it returns to the water pump. The Water Pump is turned by the Serpentine Belt and Drive Pulley. If you turn on your vehicle's inside heater, a Heater Valve will open and let a restricted amount of coolant through to the Heater Core where the Heater Fan will disperse the heat into the vehicle passenger compartment. The coolant continues and re-joins the system at the Water Pump. Once the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature, the Thermostat opens to allow hot coolant to pass through the Upper Radiator Hose and into the Radiator. As the hot coolant flows down the radiator core, an electric or mechanical Radiator Fan passes cool air through the Radiator to disperse the heat from the coolant. The lower temperature coolant returns to the engine through the Lower Radiator Hose and into the fuel pump. As the Thermostat senses the cooler liguid entering the engine, the thermostat closes and prevents any additional fluid to pass back to the Radiator until the engine temperature has risen again. By opening and closing this way, the Thermostat maintains a specific temperature range inside the engine and allows the hot coolant in the Radiator a chance to cool down before it is returned to the engine. As the coolant in the system gets hot, it also expands. The Pressurized Radiator Cap allows for this expansion by releasing some of the expanded coolant through the cap and into the Overflow Tank. As the coolant temperature drops, the vacuum created in the system draws the coolant back into the system from the overflow tank. Be sure to maintain the correct level of fluid in the overflow tank - most are marked with levels for both hot and cold. Never open the Pressurized Radiator Cap when the system is hot. The system is designed to operate as a pressurized system and the pressure along with the chemical make-up of the coolant prevents the fluid from boiling at 212 degrees like regular water. However, if you release the pressure, then the hot coolant may instantly come to a boil and expand rapidly which causes the fluid to explode out of the radiator. So, Never open the Pressurized Radiator Cap when the system is hot. |
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Scale and Corrosion Build-Up
Scale and corrosion can build up inside the radiator when corrosion-inhibiting properties in the radiator fluid begin to weaken. The build up can slow the movement of radiator fluid through the cooling fins as well as create a barrier between the fluid and the aluminum or copper radiator walls. This build-up can actually insulate the inner walls of the radiator fins from the heat in the liquid coolant. If the coolant can’t release the heat, then the heat is passed back into the engine along with the fluid. Engine overheating is often a direct result of this type of corrosive build up inside the cooling system and radiator core.
Radiator Flush and Coolant Replacement
The best way to prevent this type of radiator cooling problems is to replace the coolant in your engine’s cooling system according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Many of the newer coolants will last longer but eventually all coolants wear out. Periodically changing the fluid can ensure that the corrosion inhibiting properties of your coolant remain in proper balance. This will help to eliminate corrosion and scale from building up inside the car radiator and cooling system.
Radiator Fluid Exchange Service at EZ Lube
EZ Lube offers a Radiator Fluid Change (Radiator Flush) service to help you follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for regularly scheduled cooling system maintenance.
