Back to all

Cooling System Components

December 19, 2021

Today we want to talk about a system in our vehicles – the cooling system. It's one of those things that Farmington Hills auto owners don't give much thought to until it fails and then they're stranded by the side of a road in MI.

Cooling systems fail more often than any other mechanical system – usually because of neglect. Don't you hate it when something breaks and you could have done something to prevent it?

The good news is that if Farmington Hills drivers take care of their cooling systems, they can keep working for the life of their car.

Here at Hal's Auto Clinic Farmington Hills in Farmington Hills, 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, radiator, cooling fans, the heater core, the pressure cap, the overflow tank and the hoses.

It sounds complicated, but we Farmington Hills residents don't have to be experts – we can leave that to our friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Hal's Auto Clinic Farmington Hills. But, having an overview will help us remember how to take care of your car's cooling system.

Most Farmington Hills folks would be surprised to know that burning fuel in your engine produces up to 4,500 degrees F/2,500 degrees C 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 vehicle 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 cash on replacing the belts and water pump is much less than the cost of repairing the extremely massive damage that can be done when an engine seizes.

There's another little known but important part of the coolant system that protects the engine. It's called a freeze plug. If you remember from high school chemistry, water expands when it freezes. In very cold areas, the coolant can actually freeze when the vehicle is left sitting.

It is hard to believe, but the expanding frozen coolant is enough to actually crack the engine block. The freeze plugs fit into the engine block. They fit tight enough to withstand the pressure of a running engine, but can expand or pop out if the coolant freezes. These little things save a lot of engine blocks.

The team at Hal's Auto Clinic Farmington Hills can check your cooling system and make any necessary adjustments or repairs. Give us a call.

Hal's Auto Clinic Farmington Hills
24795 Hathaway St.
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-477-5951
https://www.halsautoclinic.com/

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Hal's Auto Clinic

The Sign of the Shield (Heat Shield Repair and Replacement)

February 26, 2023

Even in the months where temperatures are cooler, heat is still an enemy of your vehicle. When your engine runs, it creates heat, so there are numerous heat shields that protect other parts from those higher temperatures. Heat shields are installed around several areas of the exhaust system. Ot... More

Problems with Suspension Solved at Hal's Auto Clinic Farmington Hills in Farmington Hills

February 19, 2023

A vehicle's suspension system is tough. It can last for years and after lots of driving for Farmington Hills drivers. But it can be damaged quickly by hitting a pothole, curb or rock, and it can wear more quickly if you frequently drive off-road or on bumpy roads. A workhorse vehicle one that ha... More

Poor Reflections (Door Mirror Problems)

February 12, 2023

Mirror, mirror on the door, why is my vision there so poor? Well, you could have a broken outside rearview mirror that's disabled your blind spot vision there and endangering your ability to see some of the traffic around you. Outside rearview (or door) mirrors are important safety devices that ... More