|
How to Help Your Car Keep its Cool A Car's engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. The cooling system protects against damage, keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Regular checks and maintenance help assure long life of vulnerable engine parts. Here's what's involved in proper cooling system maintenance. 1) Check condition of water pump 2) Inspect radiator for leaks & corrosion. Computer controlled vehicles require high engine temperature. Today's smaller radiators require more frequent care. 3) Be sure to have plenty of coolant. Caution: never open or remove pressure cap when engine is hot. Never add pure antifreeze to the radiator. always dilute it to half-strength with water. 4) Look for leaking hoses and connections.*Tighten loose clamps. 5) Check condition of the radiator pressure cap.* Replace if rubber gasket is damaged. 6) If the engine runs too cool the thermostat is probably at fault and should be replaced. 7) Inspect condition of hoses. Cracked, mushy or otherwise deteriorated hoses should be replaced. To be sure, it is recommended that all belts be changed at least once every four years - if not sooner. 8) Heater hoses demand attention too. look for leaks, cracks, rotted rubber. Replace faulty clamps. 9) Check belts for wear and tension. Replaced when cracked or frayed. Usual life is about 4 years. Cooling Systems Need More Attention Achieving more kilometres per litre, a continuing challenge to automotive designers, has affected the cooling system as much as any part of the vehicle. To reach their objectives, engineers reduce wind resistance and vehicle weight, among other improvements. This has led to smaller radiators to accommodate the reduced frontal area of the vehicle, and to reduce weight, the old copper and brass radiators with soldered joints were replaced with aluminum and plastic. Lighter, less expensive and with excellent life expectancy. Aluminum however, is more vulnerable to breakdown of the inhibitors in the antifreeze/coolant. Failure to flush the cooling system and replace antifreeze/coolant can lead to the demise of a fairly new radiator to gain maximum life from an aluminum radiator. It is recommended that cooling systems are serviced annually, certainly no less than every other year. If you have been in the habit of "Topping Off" the cooling system with pure antifreeze, beware of getting too high a ratio of antifreeze to water. The maximum allowable is 70 percent after which the coolant loses its heat transfer characteristics and the engine overheats. Maintaining a proper coolant level is critical as well. Car Care Canada reports that among thousands of vehicles checked during car care month, 29 percent were low on antifreeze/coolant. Further, inspectors found 12 percent had rusty or otherwise contaminated antifreeze/coolant, indicating a need for flushing of the system. In addition to flushing and replacing antifreeze, seasonal cooling system service should include inspection of drive belts and hoses. Its also wise to have the system pressure tested for leaks and for condition of the radiator pressure cap. Remember that a thermostat that allows the engine to run too cool can damage the engine. |
|
|
