How to maintain the car cooling system during the summer?

In the summer the air temperature rises with the heat generated in huge quantities from the mechanical parts and thus has a detrimental effect on the efficiency of the engine and may lead to many malfunctions as a result of the evaporation of the radiator water and a shortage of coolant in the cooling cycle. Heat that is generated in huge quantities inside the car engine in its fixed or moving parts is a result of several factors, including:

·         Friction process between moving parts such as bistons, rings, crank, and others.

·         The process of combustion of gases inside internal combustion cylinders.

The temperatures resulting from the previous factors may reach more than 200 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to melt the engine parts, whatever their quality, and whatever the resistance of the materials and alloys from which these parts are made, which requires an effective cooling system for the engine parts to ensure the maintenance of the car engine’s efficiency. In all operating situations.

The cooling system must work on:

1. The layers of oil are not evaporated between the moving parts, which carry out the process of lubrication, cooling and reducing friction
2. The engine temperature does not reach the danger limits

Engine cooling types and methods differ in their design according to different car engines, and engine cooling systems can be done by one of the following two methods:

·         Air cooling  : It is a limited method in a few cars because this method of cooling results in many problems and damages to the car, the result of which is a decrease in the life of the engine, so the number of car engines that depend on air as a means of cooling does not exceed 10% of the car engines group.

·         Water cooling  : It is the most common and used in the automotive field because it absorbs a large amount of heat to let the coolant temperature rises by one degree Celsius, which is an important and main feature in this area, as the coolant arrives around the cylinders and the parts whose temperature rises in the engine to absorb this heat and pass it to the (Radiator), where this heat is exchanged with the air blown out of the radiator pipes, and thus the coolant temperature decreases, returning a cold again to the engine, and so by repeating this process the engine remains always under appropriate thermal operating conditions.

There are elements of the cooling system that differ from one engine to another, but it mainly consists of:

1- Water pipes

2- Radiator

3- Pump (water pump)

4- Cooling fan

5- A set of hoses and connections

6- Condensation tank

There are specifications for cooling water that fulfill the following objectives:

1- Cooling the hot parts

2- Prevent rust and corrosion from engine parts

3- Preventing freezing in low temperatures in cold countries

In order to maintain the cooling cycle, the driver must periodically review the cooling cycle, and if he finds any defects, shortages, or malfunctions, he must immediately go to the nearest specialized car maintenance service center to check the cooling cycle with the latest specialized equipment:

First: Check the level of coolant in the condensation tank.

Second: Ensure that the radiator cover is valid and sealed.

Third: fill the coolant to appropriate levels, preferably with the engine in running condition.

Fourth: Ensure that the thermostat is in place and fit and beware of removing it from its place as this is a common and incorrect error because at the time when we need to reduce the engine temperature, the engine also needs to be hot.

Fifth: Observe and follow the temperature indicator in the instrument cluster on the dashboard and to stop the engine immediately if the indicator rises to the red zone, which is the limit of danger.

Sixth: Examine and follow up any leakage of coolant through the various connections and water hoses, and replace the damaged ones immediately.

Seventh: Do not use regular tap water to fill the cooling cycle . Rather, coolant with the appropriate specifications specified by the car manual and service centers must be used .

Eighth: Flush the cooling cycle periodically every two years, after which the cycle water will be completely changed.

Ninth: Beware of opening the radiator cover and the engine hot, as the rush of water in the event of a boil and the rising fumes may cause burns to the face and the skin.