It’s not just the fans or A/C that keeps your car from overheating. There are several components that play an important role from driving the engine into an overdrive mode and heating up. Various engines have to operate at different levels to maintain the temperature at a specific level.
However, there are times when the car will reach the boiling point, which can have adverse effect on the working of other elements in the engine. Therefore an immediate diagnosis of the heating and the cooling system is recommended.
Here are some services we can help resolve and diagnosis:
- Radiators
- Hoses
- Belts
- Heater Cores
- Thermostats
- Head Gaskets
- Fan Clutches
- Electric Fans
- Water Pumps
- Transmission Coolers
- Air Conditioning Svc
Radiators
Radiators function as heat exchangers to transfer thermal energy for cooling and heating the vehicle. In order to cool the vehicle, the radiator has a tank which contains coolant which is supplied by a belt to the engine and helps in cooling down the vehicle.
Air often gets trapped in the radiator. This may lower the radiator’s heat up efficiency. The trapped air needs to be removed as it may also interfere with the proper functioning of other parts.
Hoses
There are hoses that run for radiator and the heater systems of your car. These hoses are made of rubber. You need to keep checking them regularly to ensure that they are in a good condition. These hoses can get ruptured because of internal pressure and of course the age.
If these parts get damaged the car throws up the coolant leading to overheating of the engine. Even if you find that the hoses are in good condition make sure that you change them periodically to avoid any unwanted problems.
Belts
There are primarily two kinds of belts that are used in an automobile; the ‘timing belt’ and ‘the serpentine belts’. The timing belt is basically a jagged belt made of rubber also known as a ‘Gilmer belt’ or a ‘camshaft drive belt’. Its function is to make the crankshaft spin the camshaft.
It is the camshaft that maintains the synchronism between the valves and the pistons, thus vital for the working of the engines. Keep inspecting it regularly to avoid engine damage and being stranded away while travelling. Generally, belts need to be replaced every fifty to sixty thousand miles.
Serpentine belts perform the important part of inducing power to the other parts of the car vital to the cooling system. Your engine could stop working if the belt cracks due to overheating. That’s why you need to replace them before they fail, which is usually between 36,000-50,000 miles.
Heater cores
Heater cores are devices similar to the radiator. They is utilized in the heating system of a vehicle’s cabin where the ‘hot coolant’ from the engine is made to flow through its winding tube thus creating an exchange of heat between coolant and the air inside the cabin. Fins are provided on the core tubes with the purpose of increasing the heat transfer between the coolant and the cabin.
You will find the heater core located underneath the dashboard of the car. The small piping with numerous bends can get clogged if the coolant system is not flushed correctly or not maintained regularly thus causing the failure of the heater core function. To avoid the restriction of the coolant flow, and the lowering of the heating capacity it is essential that the heater core never gets blocked.
Thermostats
Every car needs a cooling system and heating system to maintain efficient temperature thus facilitating the performance of the engine. Thermostats are basically essential to regulate the temperature to the desirable standards. The function of the thermostat is to manage the flow of the heat transferred both into and out of the system by way of turning it on or off.
The switching system is essentially needed to control the functions. The forced-air air conditioning thermostat uses an external switch for the switching operation or another method of auto turning off the blower fan. It can be a part of the heating or the cooling system of the car.
Head Gasket
The seal between the engine block and the cylinder head is called the head gasket. It plays a key role in the functioning of your car’s heating and cooling system.
Since the engine block and the cylinder head perform under maximum compression, there is a possibility of its wear and tear, which can cause leakage of the coolant or oil. Constant exposure to these leaked elements can in turn create a hole in the head gasket. This is what is called a blown head gasket. And it is the most visible sign of your vehicle’s cooling system in trouble. In short, if left unattended or overlooked, the engine will overheat and eventually breakdown.
If you have to replace the head gasket, do not go for the traditional copper and brass one. For better durability, ask your mechanic to replace it with a head gasket made of metal and asbestos or fibre. Gaskets made of these elements have the ability to resist combustive gas, coolant and oil and continue performing even at a very high temperature.
Fan Clutches
A fan clutch aids in the cooling of a car. It is placed in front of the water pump and is connected to the vehicles crankshaft. If your car is at a normal temperature, the fan clutch will disengage the radiators cooling fan on a partial level. However, when the car heats up, the settings of the fan clutch are such that it will automatically ensure that the cooling fan is engaged at its maximum level to lower the temperature.
Although fan clutches are reliable, there are times when it can fail. Some of the symptoms of its failure include:
- The car gets overheated even when it is idle.
- Your vehicle’s air conditioning is performing very badly.
- And it draws air at a very high rate, which impairs the heating system by blowing out lukewarm air instead of hot air.
Electric Fans
Electric fans ensure that your car can manage a long and smooth drive minus any glitches or breakdowns. They are specifically designed to cool the radiator even under severely hot conditions, and in such a way that they start automatically the minute the temperature of the vehicle’s engine goes above a certain point and stop when the temperature resumes to normalcy.
In other words, they maintain the longevity of your engine by keeping its components functional and save on power and fuel. Electric fans also help boost the engine power and extend the life span of the water pump.
Water pumps
Water pumps are responsible for sending the coolant through a belt to your car’s cooling system while the engine is running. Water pumps are very simple one and are ruined by regular wear and tear.
It is not very expensive to replace a water pump but if this part fails to function, it can lead to some serious damage to your car as the coolant supply is interrupted and the engine tends to overheat.
Here are a few signs that the water pump may be faulty:
- If the coolant is leaking, then it is time to replace your water pump
- If the car’s air conditioner emits a strange smell
- If the fluid level of your reservoir has gone down, try refilling the coolant and if it continues to go down then you may have to check the water pump.
- If you hear a grinding noise from the water pulley, it may indicate that the bearings are wearing down, thereby making you realize that the water pump and belts need to be replaced.
- If your car keeps overheating, it is a sign of a possible coolant leak.
Transmission Coolers
The transmission coolers sit right inside the radiator tank. Sitting inside the radiator, this part’s oil exchanges heat with the coolant in the radiator.
While mounting the cooler, you need to be sure that it receives airflow. It should be an inch away from the fan, 1/8 inch away from the radiator, two inches away from the hood and six inches away from any exhaust component.
The transmission coolers tend to trap any contaminants that are found in the fluid. As a result, the cooler gets plugged or clogged leading to failure. If this part fails to function, you need to replace it.
Air Conditioning Service
A car air conditioner system is imperative to make driving a comfortable experience especially in a hot climate. Designed with the intention of making your journey comfortable, the air conditioning system regulates the warm, humid or hot climate in your car.
It is essential to have your air conditioner periodically serviced by trained and equipped technicians in order to maintain its efficiency and improve the performance of your vehicle.
New Orleans Auto Repair 