Water cooling is necessary for modern vehicles because it is the only way to maintain these powerful machines at the temperature at which they function most efficiently.
In a short period of time, significant engine failure might result from cooling system errors. Nevertheless, using the incorrect coolant can cause internal damage to the engine.
We’ll go over the elements you should think about when choosing a coolant for your car in the paragraphs that follow.
What causes the engine to heat up to such a degree?
There are two primary processes that lead to the production of heat within an engine: fuel combustion and internal friction.
The temperature of the burning fuel in the combustion chambers can reach several hundred degrees.
Because metal is an excellent heat conductor and because the entirety of the engine is made of metal, the heat generated in the combustion chamber is immediately transferred to all other areas of the machine.
The engine contains hundreds of moving parts, which, despite being adequately lubricated, nonetheless cause some internal friction and raise the engine’s temperature overall. This is an important point to remember.
It is preferable to have some heat
It’s not necessary for the cooling system to bring the engine’s temperature down to the very lowest level. Some degree of heat is preferred because of how temperature affects how metals expand.
The various moving elements of an engine will be positioned correctly apart when it has attained its ideal temperature.
Without rubbing or smashing into one another, bearings, shafts, and levers slide past one another. Instead, they slide easily and remain in contact with one another at all times.
By doing this, the parts are protected from excessive wear and tear while still transferring power properly.
The role that the cooling system plays
It is the responsibility of the cooling system to maintain the engine at the temperature at which it performs most efficiently.
The mechanical water pump performs its function when coolant is continuously circulated via the system of hoses and pipes that make up the engine.
The cooler in the front of the car is in charge of making sure that, with the help of the blowing wind, the coolant disperses heat from the engine to the air around it.
However, what seems so simple in this case necessitates new laws. During the winter, the surrounding air temperature is frequently too low.
The engine won’t operate at its ideal temperature if there is a continuous flow of air through the cooler.
On the other hand, this is not the case in the summer, and the cooler is no longer sufficient to keep the engine at the desired temperature.
The cooling system, which consists of two components, performs the temperature control tasks:
The thermostatic valve splits an existing cooling circuit in half, resulting in the creation of two separate cooling circuits. The “big” cooling circuit that covers the rest of the gadget includes the front cooler.
The cooler is isolated from the rest of the system by the “little” circuit, which also transmits the coolant in a circuit that returns it directly to the engine. This is quite important, particularly when starting the engine from scratch.
A cold engine, with the assistance of the thermostat, will immediately reach its ideal operating temperature in order to begin its cycle.
A fan will turn on to offer additional ventilation if the engine becomes too hot, even if the huge cooling circuit is entirely open.
This results in more air being pumped through the cooler, which increases the cooler’s cooling capacity. The sort of fan employed—either electric or hydro-mechanical—depends on the kind of vehicle being used.
The roles that the coolant plays in the system
The average person might not realize all of the roles that coolant plays, but it is essential for many processes.
Its principal duty is unquestionably to send the heat generated by the engine to the cooler. But it serves even more purposes than that:
– Ensure that the cooling medium doesn’t freeze.
– Make sure the cooling system doesn’t corrode.
– The moving parts of the cooling system’s components should be lubricated.
– Prevent any evaporation from occurring in the rubber and paper cooling system components.
This is accomplished by using the appropriate proportions of water and coolant additives in the mixture. However, a few details must be taken care of.
More does not mean better
Water is the perfect fluid for the transfer of heat. The amount of a cooling agent that is added to water causes a proportional reduction in its capacity to absorb heat.
The adage “the more of anything, the better” does not, in any way, shape, or form, apply to antifreeze because this is not the case. This is due to the fact that its main objective is to prevent freezing.
Only with a specific ratio of water to additive is it possible to achieve the highest level of antifreeze protection.
If the concentration is increased too much, the coolant’s freezing point will rise once more. The exact opposite of what was meant to happen!
At a concentration of 55%, freezing protection is already guaranteed at temperatures as low as -45 degrees Celsius.
The antifreeze protection can only be maintained down to a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius when antifreeze alone is utilized as a cooling medium.
Also possible is a change in the temperature at which antifreeze boils. The engine may run a little bit hotter than it should if the system contains more antifreeze than is necessary.
This could result in long-term damage. Hardening has been applied to the surfaces of the motor’s movable components.
The hardened coating gets worn away when the motor is used for an extended period of time at a temperature that is only marginally higher than its working temperature. This is because the moving parts put too much strain on one another.
Underneath this hard top, there is a much more pliable foundation substance. When this stage is reached, the parts start to wear down right away, drastically reducing the amount of time the engine can be kept in working order.
Make sure the coolant level is appropriate
The coolant should be regularly inspected and completely replaced according to the maintenance schedule every 30,000 to 60,000 kilometers.
In the gaps between these times, the level should be checked often. But there are other factors to take into account when it comes to the coolant.
A quick inspection of the engine’s coolant level can reveal key information about the health of the vehicle’s powertrain.
- An extremely dark color or glistening oil droplets are signs of a cylinder-head gasket that needs to be replaced. A cross-compatibility check can be done on the oil cap.
- If there is a white and brown foam there instead of a dark, transparent lubricating oil coating, the cooling and oil systems are in contact, and the cylinder head gasket is almost certainly defective.
It is not the case that all antifreeze agents are the same
Antifreeze substances are made up of 90 percent glycol and 10 percent additives. Antifreeze protection is provided primarily by glycol, which is glycol.
Glycol is responsible for this function. Lubrication and protection against corrosion are the two primary purposes of the additives.
The specifications of the vehicle must be adhered to in every detail when selecting these additives. The material mixtures in the rubber hoses and seals vary depending on the manufacturer.
If the proper type of antifreeze is not used to fill the radiator of the vehicle, there is a possibility that the consequences will be severe.
Corrosion causes the head gasket and cooling hoses to become permanently damaged. Therefore, using the incorrect antifreeze will result in the complete destruction of the engine.
Because each antifreeze has its own unique color, thankfully, it is not difficult at all to tell them apart from one another.
Green, red, blue
You can use the colors as a point of reference whenever you’re in a rush. It is highly recommended that one always go with the color that is currently trending. Under no circumstances should the colors be combined with one another.
Antifreeze additives could undergo chemical reactions that would lead to the destruction of the engine from the inside out.
Please refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle as well as the information that is printed on the container of the antifreeze for the most accurate information possible.
The passage of time does not require adjustments.
Antifreeze does not need to be drained during the summer months as it used to in order to have them available for use during the winter.
Because of the way that they are constructed, they are able to stay in the cooling system throughout the entire year.
They perform a number of very important functions there, particularly in terms of the protection they offer against corrosion.
When using water that is not purified, the engine and the cooler run the risk of developing rust on the inside, which will shorten their useful lives.
Reddening is a straightforward indicator that can be used to spot corrosion in the coolant. In this scenario, the coolant has the appearance of rust due to the condition. This is in stark contrast to the “red” antifreeze, which is actually more of pink color.
In most cases, a corroded coolant system can be “saved” by replacing the cooler, pump, and thermostat and flushing everything thoroughly.
This brings the system back to its original state. Since these three parts are wearable in any case, replacing them will not set you back an excessive amount of money.
However, the proper proportions of water and antifreeze must once more be added to the system.
How to administer treatment with a coolant
The coolant is poisonous in both its concentrated form and its ready-to-use mixture form. Simply coming into contact with potentially hazardous substances can cause them to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
When working with the coolant, it is imperative that gloves be worn at all times, and under no circumstances should the concentrate be consumed.
It is imperative that the antifreeze be stored in a location that is inaccessible to children. The flavor of glycol is sweet, which makes it an appealing substance for children to consume.
A good mix, safe driving
As you are about to see, dealing with antifreeze is not nearly as simple as one might believe it to be. You can do an excellent job of getting your vehicle ready for the colder months if you pay attention and have some background information on the subject.
A basic understanding of algebra is also helpful. You are able to get an accurate reading of the antifreeze concentration with the assistance of an inspector.
On the basis of this information, he is able to determine, in percentage terms, how much coolant he requires and can therefore avoid overdosing.
The use of excessive amounts of antifreeze can even be harmful, as was discussed earlier.
