Cooling System Components – Preventative Maintenance to avoid Costly Repairs!

Posted May 12, 2014

When you think of preventative maintenance, there are probably a few things that jump to the top of your mind – oil changes, filter replacements, windshield wipers, fluids… But how often do you consider the cooling system in your vehicle?

The cooling system is an important component in our vehicles – they keep your vehicle running smoothly, allowing your engine to function and burn fuel without getting too hot. If the cooling system fails, you may end up stranded on the side of the road, needing to replace the entire system or even your car’s engine.

The cooling system is made up of a few key components: water pump, freeze plugs, thermostat, radiator, cooling fans, heater core, pressure cap, overflow tank, and hoses. By having these things checked regularly, replaced as needed, and following manufacturer recommended maintenance services, you can keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs or replacements!

It may sound daunting to understand all of the individual parts within the cooling system, but don’t worry – our expert technicians are here to help you! We will check your cooling system and all its components when you bring your vehicle in for a tune-up. We can also track preventative maintenance schedules and let you know when it is time to consider replacing these key components. If you have questions about the cooling system or any of the components in your car, stop by our shop or call us at 616.796.9929!

The experts at AutoNetTV go into further depth exploring the various components of the cooling system. Watch their video or read the full transcript. Here’s an excerpt:

“Here at AutoNetTV, we emphasize preventive maintenance services like replacing your coolant according to the factory schedule. But the various parts that make up the cooling system need attention too. The major components of the cooling system are the water pump, freeze plugs, the thermostat, the radiator, cooling fans, the heater core, the pressure cap, the overflow tank and the hoses.

It sounds complicated, but we don’t have to be experts – we can leave that to our service technicians. But, having an overview will help us remember to take care of our cooling systems.

Most people would be surprised to know that burning fuel in your engine produces up to 4,500 degrees of heat. And all that heat has to be dealt with. If the heat can’t be drawn off the engine, the pistons will literally weld themselves to the inside of the cylinders – then you just have to throw the engine away and get a new one. That would cost thousands of dollars.

Now the water pump is what forces the coolant through passages in the engine to absorb heat. The pump is driven by a belt that needs replacement from time to time. And the water pump will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Spending some money on replacing the belts and water pump is much less than the cost of repairing the massive damage that can be done when an engine seizes…”

Keep reading for information on the cooling system components.

If you want to learn more about your vehicle’s cooling system, stop by our shop to talk with one of our skilled technicians, or give us a call at 616.796.9929. Keeping up with preventative maintenance will keep your car running strong and avoid more expensive problems down the road. Schedule your next tune-up today!

Categories: Car Repair