Automotive Cooling System Repair in Sioux Falls, SD
Did you know your cooling system is responsible for keeping your engine from overheating? This is important year round, but is especially critical during the hot summer months. Overheating can cause some of your engine’s plastic components to melt, which leads to a very expensive fix — and that’s one of the best-case scenarios. In a worst-case scenario, your engine can heat to the point where the fluids running in and around it combust and your engine catches fire.
Avoid a dangerous situation and have your cooling system serviced, maintained and repaired regularly. Don’t wait for your temperature gauge to reach the red line. When you notice the temperature rising, call Team Automotive. Book an appointment with one of our ASE-certified mechanics to nip your overheating issue in the bud.
Understanding Your Cooling System
Your cooling system is composed of several parts that work together to ensure nothing stays too hot for too long. Here’s a quick rundown.
Coolant
Your car, truck or SUV’s cooling system is composed of the radiator, coolant, water pump, thermostat and hoses. A working car cooling system has a water pump that pushes coolant, which is also known as antifreeze, from the radiator through hoses that run through the engine block and heads. The coolant begins as a room-temperature liquid and is heated as it flows through the hot engine. The hot coolant is pushed through thin tubes in the radiator and is cooled by the air buffeting the radiator from the grill at the front of the vehicle. Then the process repeats until you stop the car and turn off the engine.
The radiator has fans to maintain the air flow when your car is stopped or slowing down. The fans remain on when the air conditioner is running, but if the A/C is off, the fans only turn on when the thermometer sends them a signal to indicate they’re needed.
Thermostat
The thermostat is located between the engine and radiator to ensure the coolant remains within the acceptable temperature range. If the coolant is too cold, the thermostat blocks the flow and forces the coolant to return to the engine through a different tube. If the temperature is too high, the radiator cap will release pressure and any fluid loss is reserved in a tank to cool. After it cools down, the lost coolant is returned to the radiator supply.
Radiator
Your car radiator is composed of a series of thin, flat tubes that transfer heat from your engine to the atmosphere. Coolant also travels through the radiator to be cooled and recirculated through the engine. The radiator has fans mounted to it on the side nearest the engine. These are the fans that turn on to cool the radiator when the vehicle is not in motion or if the radiator exceeds safe temperatures.
Water Pump
The water pump is mounted on the front of your vehicle’s engine and it’s responsible for pushing coolant throughout the engine. It is only active when the engine is running and its sole purpose is to create pressure to force coolant through the numerous hoses and pipes throughout the engine and radiator. Without the water pump, the coolant will not move and your engine will overheat.
Common Cooling System Problems
As previously explained, your cooling system is composed of several parts. Any one of them can start to fail, which then affects the other areas of your cooling system. But what are the signs that something is wrong? Here are a few to look out for:
- Rising temperature gauge
- Bright green leak under your car
- Smoke coming from under car hood
- Coolant level low
If you notice your coolant level is low, but there doesn’t seem to be a leak anywhere, try filling the coolant tank to the max line. Keep an eye on the levels and if it seems to be draining, you need to call one of our technicians. If you notice any of the previous symptoms from your car, truck, van or SUV, call Team Automotive. Our ASE-certified mechanics can help fix the problem before it becomes a costly issue.
Cooling System Service, Maintenance and Repairs
To maintain your cooling system, follow these guidelines:
- Regularly check radiator cap is secure
- Regularly check and fill coolant levels
- Clean dirt and debris from radiator
- Flush cooling system every 30,000 or every 5 years
- Regularly check radiator for corrosion, cracks, softness or a crunchy feeling
When your car, truck, van or SUV cooling system goes out, it can be devastating to your radiator and engine. Depending on your vehicle, it can be difficult to determine which component is responsible for overheating, so call Team Automotive, your local car repair expert. Our ASE-certified technicians will diagnose the problem and let you know if it’s an easy fix or if a replacement is required, and they’ll give you a free quote to boot.