The Shocking Truth about Your Vehicle’s Cooling System

The Shocking Truth about Your Vehicle's Cooling System Posted - October 10,2014 This month,Christian Brothers Automotive is dedicated to setting the record straight on cooling system service. We've already covered the basics of the cooling system and common misconceptions about the cooling system. Today,we'll cover the most important part: knowing when cooling system service is necessary. What parts of the cooling system require extra attention? Your cooling system is made up of multiple parts launch x431 diagun,including belts,hoses,fittings and coolant. Accessory Belt: One belt,many problems To reduce overall space and weight in the engine compartment,today's engines use a single plane design accessory belt to drive the A/C compressor,Water Pump and Alternator. In terms of engine failure,the cooling system's water pump is the most important component that is highly dependent on the condition of the belt and the condition of the accessories the belt drives Launch Creader VI. If any of the accessories cause the belt to wear out,your engine's cooling system may fail catastrophically. Keeping a close eye on the accessories belt and the accessories it runs will help prevent indirect cooling failures. Hoses: They may look good on the outside The cooling system's hoses are made of a firm but flexible rubber,which allows water to pass through the cooling system components. Mostly,they're designed to flex and absorb the engine's vibration. Over time,the hoses develop problems that can't always be seen on the outside. A common problem is the hardening of the hose's inner wall,which degrades the flexibility of the hose design so it can no longer dampen the engine's vibration. Other problems like leaks,metal corrosion and stress cracks at the connection ports of engine,radiator and heater usually lead to costly repairs that may have been preventable with proper maintenance. Fluid: Not all coolant is created equal Cooling systems are designed to work under pressure. Periodic visual fluid level checks can quickly determine if there's a concern for leaks. You should always consult with a professional before opening the system. There's always a potential of harmful fluid eruption,even if you think the temperature is safe. Engines (and the parts of the cooling system) are made of different metals that are designed to work with specific fluid types and mixtures to prevent metal corrosion,catastrophic engine failure and the production of harmful environmental byproducts. The periodic testing and inspection of fluid type,quality and level can be done by our ASE-certified technicians during a Courtesy Inspection. When should cooling system service be scheduled? There are two common misconceptions surrounding cooling system service. On one hand,drivers believe this is a maintenance-free system. On the other,unethical auto mechanics lead drivers to believe their cooling system should be flushed and serviced every 3,000 miles (along with each oil change). It is good practice to inspect your engine's cooling system parts with every oil change,however the cooling system fluid only needs to be checked to ensure it is at the proper level and condition and no potential leaks are suspected. Because of the manufacture's specific cooling system fluid design,always check the manufacturer's recommendations by mileage and/or condition of fluid. In most cases,you should only require full cooling system service (with related component maintenance) every 3-5 years.
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