5.

Engine Cooling Systems

Automotive – Components & Operation

Engine Cooling Systems

This presentation will explore:

 Cooling Systems
 Cooling System Components
 Fans
 Coolant Characteristics
ClassAct SRS enabled.
5. Engine Cooling Systems

What is (are) the function(s) of

Automotive – Components & Operation

a cooling system?
• Bring the engine to normal operating
temperature as quickly as possible
– Best performance
– Lower emissions
• Maintain proper engine operating
temperature
• Provides a means of warming the
passenger compartment Next >
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5. Engine Cooling Systems

What are the two types of

Automotive – Components & Operation

cooling systems commonly

used on internal combustion
engines?
• Liquid cooled
• Air cooled
• View CDX –
– Air and Liquid Cooling System video
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G.Giguere Jan. 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Air or Water
Cylinder air cooling fins.

Large surface area transfers

heat to surrounding air.

Water jacket to circulate coolant.

Coolant / water and antifreeze mix.

Better control of engine temperature.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 1
Which of the following is NOT expected to remove heat from a cylinder?

A) Engine block fins

B) Transmission oil

C) Water and antifreeze mixture

D) Surrounding air
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Cooling System

Combustion (flame) temperatures in cylinders up to 4500ºF (2500ºC).

Normal coolant temperature 180-210ºF (80-100ºC).
Coolant radiates excess heat to the air.
This slide has been modified by
Air flow is fan assisted. G.Giguere Jan. 2007
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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 2
What is the normal maximum temperature of the coolant in a
water cooled system?

A) 80 °F

B) 100 °F

C) 210 °F

D) 4500 °F
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Water Pump

Drive pulley
Leak
(vent)
bore
Main shaft

Seal

Bearings
Impeller

Water pump housing

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G.Giguere Jan. 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Water Flow
Conventional coolant flow is Pipes to passenger
compartment heater
upward past the cylinders.

Coolant flows out from

cylinder head to radiator.

Water pump draws coolant

from radiator and forces it
back into cylinder block.

Reverse flow cooling is in

opposite direction.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 3
The water pump normally forces the coolant from the cylinder
block through the radiator. Is this true or false?

Answer True or False.

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Radiator
Hoses connect radiator to
cylinder block and heater.

Thermostat prevents coolant flow

to the radiator during warm-up.

Radiator transfers heat

to the outside air.

Fan(s) draw air

through radiator.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Thermostat
To top hose
When cold - thermostat closed. and radiator

Route to radiator cut off.

Bypass allows coolant to

circulate around engine.

When hot - wax-filled pellet

expands and opens thermostat.

Coolant allowed to flow to radiator

and by-pass port is blocked.

When installing vertically mounted

thermostats, be sure the vent is in
the upper-most position.
By-pass port Next >
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 4
What position will the thermostat be in just after the engine has
been started first thing in the morning?

A) Half open

B) Closed

C) Open
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Downflow
Tanks are on top and bottom.

Coolant flows down through

core tubes.
Core
tubes
Coolant flows out of bottom
tank back to engine.

Automatic transmission oil

coolers are at bottom.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Crossflow
Tanks are on sides.

Allows lower hood line.

Core tubes run horizontally.

Transmission oil cooler may be

positioned in side tank.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 5
Which of the following would indicate that you were looking
at a crossflow radiator?

A) The core tubes are vertical

B) The radiator is mounted horizontally

C) The transmission oil cooler is at the bottom

D) The tanks are on the sides

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Hoses
Flexible hoses carry coolant between radiator, engine block and heater core.

Upper hose from the

radiator is connected to
the cylinder head.
Hoses carry coolant to
passenger compartment heater.
Lower hose from radiator is connected
to water pump.

Expansion tank keeps system topped up. Next >

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Types of Hoses
Two types of radiator hoses:

 Molded (pre-formed),

 Flexible (universal).

Flexible type can be bent.

Support spring often fitted inside

flexible hose.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 6
A flexible hose can replace a molded hose as long as it is the
same length and diameter. Is this true or false?

Answer True or False.

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Radiator Cap
Pressurizes system which
raises the boiling point.
(3°F per pound of pressure)

Pressure valve opens at

specified pressure.
(See cap 12-16 psi)

Excess coolant released

to expansion tank.

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G.Giguere Jan. 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 7
What would be the effect of a weak spring in a radiator cap?

A) Water would boil at a lower temperature

B) Water would boil at a higher temperature

C) The cap would fall off

D) The engine would stop immediately

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Closed Cooling System

When engine is hot,
excess coolant
flows to expansion
tank reservoir.

When engine cools,

vacuum valve
opens to allow
coolant back to
radiator top tank.

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5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Engine-Powered Fan
Main purpose is to generate air flow
across radiator core tubes.

Bolts to water pump hub.

May have a spacer.

Fluid coupling and thermostatic

clutches slip when cooling fan action
is unnecessary.
Coolant is below operating temperature
and/or at high speeds
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G.Giguere Jan. 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 8
The principal function of an engine-powered fan is to blow air
across the cylinder block. Is this true or false?

Answer True or False.

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Electric Cooling Fan

Temperature sending unit
Uses DC motor and thermostat switch.

Low temperature:
 Low temperature indication.
 Thermostat switch open.

High temperature:
 High temperature indication.
 Thermostat switch closed.
 Current feeds fan motor.

Thermostat
switch Next >
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 9
Which of these statements about a thermostatic switch on an
auto cooling system is true?

A) It controls the temperature display

B) It turns the fan on when it is cold

C) It is located at the highest point of the cooling system

D) It is connected between the battery and the fan

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Antifreeze
Normal temperature range for
water to remain liquid.
Boiling

Increases under pressure.

Advantages of antifreeze:
 Prevents winter freezing. Freezing

 Resists rust and corrosion.

 Lubricates water pump.

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G.Giguere Jan 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems

Types of Antifreeze
Automotive – Components & Operation

• Ethylene Glycol Based:

– Extended Life (Organic Acid Technology)
• Various colors
– Dex-Cool (for GM and other specific makes)
• Often orange
– Both are highly toxic/deadly
– Sweet smelling and tasting
• Propylene Glycol Based:
– Environmentally Friendly (Low-Tox)
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G.Giguere Jan 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems

Antifreeze/Water Ratios
Automotive – Components & Operation

• 50/50 mix:
– Most commonly recommended by automotive
manufacturers
– Protects from about -34°F to + about 265°F
• 70/30 mix:
– Protects from about -84°F to about +276°F
• 100% Antifreeze will slush at +10°F
• Improper mix may cause an erroneous
ECT input signal to PCM Next >

This slide developed by

G.Giguere Jan. 2007
5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Question 10
What is the effect of adding antifreeze to the cooling system?

A) Raising the freezing point of the water

B) Lowers the boiling point of the water

C) Lowers the freezing point of the water

D) Increases corrosion in the engine block

5. Engine Cooling Systems
Automotive – Components & Operation

Summary
You should now be aware of:

 Cooling Systems

 Cooling System Components

 Fans

 Coolant Characteristics

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