Engine Cooling System

 Automotive cooling system

The cooling system is essential to the proper functioning of all vehicles. Its primary functions, delivered thanks to its various components, are to ensure the rapid rise in temperature of the engine and to maintain an operating temperature as well as a constant pressure to avoid any overheating.

What is the cooling system for?

When an engine is running, its combustion temperature rises to 800°C in a few minutes. This rise in temperature is ensured by a thermostat which is located on the cylinder head. This is where the cooling system comes in, the action of which cools the engine in order to avoid any risk of overheating.

Its second mission is to continuously regulate the driving pressure by delaying the boiling of the liquid. Few drivers and passengers are aware of it, but the cooling system helps to heat the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The settings controls located on the dashboard are totally dependent on the cooling system.

The elements of the cooling system

The automotive cooling system is made up of a whole set of elements, including:

the thermostat

the radiator

the expansion tank

the thermal switch

We also speak of a cooling circuit when it comes to schematizing the operation of this system within a vehicle. If in the early days, cars were equipped with an air cooling system, today it is liquid cooling systems that equip all vehicles.

Engine cooling

The cooling circuit is located right next to the main hot areas of the engine, as its action is essential to its proper functioning. When the coolant is in contact with the various hot spots of the engine, it recovers the calories generated by the high temperature in order to transport them to the cooling radiator. It is from this flow that the heating of a vehicle is powered, and which therefore allows users to circulate warm during winter periods.

Temperature regulation

Temperature regulation is achieved through the action of the thermostat. This thermostat is actually a valve taking into account the temperature of the engine, and which opens according to the temperature to allow the coolant to move in the direction of the radiator.

This action is continuous, which means that during the entire journey, the valve may be open. If necessary, the valve can also close in order to keep the motor temperature in a segment between 75 and 95°C. When the engine is cold, such as when it has stopped running, this valve closes automatically.