The car engine's cooling system removes excess heat from the engine, keeps the engine operating at the most efficient temperture, and allows it to reach its optimum temperature in the shortest time possible.
It is important for the cooling system to work well so that the engine won't overheat and be damaged.
Parts of the cooling system
Most cars have liquid-cooled engines. That means a fluid flows through hoses and pipes in the engine to dissipate heat.
Water alone cannot cool the engine. Coolant, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, is added to raise the boiling point. This is still not sufficient, so to further increase the boiling point of the coolant, the pressure of the cooling system is raised, using the same principles as a pressure cooker.
A water pump drives the coolant mixture through the engine to a radiator, which is a type of heat exchanger. The radiator consists of a series of tubes with many tiny metal fins attached to it. These fins increase the surface area of the radiator, exposing the heated liquid to the cooler surrounding air. An electric fan is bolted to the inside of the radiator and kicks in when it is needed.
The cooling system also includes a thermostat to sense temperature and control fluid flow within the system. The thermostat's main job is to allow the engine to heat up quickly, and then to keep the engine at a constant temperature by regulating the amount of coolant mixture that goes through the radiator.
Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper
West Coast Plaza
12 years ago
