Category: Cooling System

Keeping Your Cool (Coolant System)

No matter what the weather is like outside, your internal combustion engine expects to keep its cool all the time, even when it’s really cold. That’s because engines create the power that moves you to your destination by a series of tiny explosions of a fuel and air mixture. In turn, that generates a lot of heat in a small space.

Your vehicle has a complete cooling system with a lot of different parts that work together to keep the temperature at a point where the metal engine parts won’t heat up enough to warp. Its lifeblood is coolant, a liquid that circulates through the engine (and, in most vehicles, the transmission, too) through a series of hoses and tubes.

In order to get rid of the coolant’s heat, your vehicle has a part you probably recognize: the radiator. It does what its name proclaims: radiates heat. The radiator has a series of thin metal fins that coolant goes through, and when outside air passes over them, the heat is dissipated from the radiator into the air.

The water pump (which is technically a coolant pump) is what propels the coolant where it needs to go.

When there’s a problem in the coolant system, it may because it’s leaking somewhere. A few things to look out for are the temperature gauge heading into the hot, or red, zone, fluid leaks under your vehicle, or the sweet smell of coolant under your vehicle after it’s been parked.

If your vehicle has any of those signs, bring it in so we can check things out. A technician will inspect the water pump and hoses for any signs of leaks. They’ll also look for leaks or holes in the radiator core or cores.

One other potential trouble spot is the radiator cap that can sometimes fail to keep the required pressure in the radiator. Once the problems are fixed, they’ll add the correct coolant and you’ll be on your way. We want you to always keep your cool.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Keeping Your Cool (Coolant leak repair)

If there’s one thing you should pay attention to with your vehicle, it’s the temperature gauge. It’s the one that may say C—H (that means “cold—hot”). Or maybe yours has a picture of a thermometer on it and a blue and red zone. If you see the needle heading farther to the “H” or red area, that means your vehicle’s engine is running hotter than it normally does.

One of the most common causes of an engine running hot is a leak in your cooling system. Maybe you’ve seen puddles of coolant under your vehicle, or you’ve smelled the coolant, either inside or outside your vehicle (it has a sort of “sweet” or fruity smell). That’s your engine giving you a warning signal that it’s time to head over to your repair facility to find out what’s going on.

Your vehicle’s coolant can leak for several reasons. You may have hoses that are deteriorating (heat and age take their toll). It’s possible the pump that circulates coolant has developed a problem (seals and bearings can fail from heat and wear). You may have something as simple as a bad radiator cap. Or your radiator or heater core may have holes in it.

If your coolant is leaking out, this can cause serious damage to your engine if you just let it go. Your engine could get so hot that some of the metal parts start to warp. Sometimes, your coolant can start mixing in with your engine oil. That can result in a very expensive repair if it gets to that stage, so have it checked out before that happens.

A technician will visually inspect your coolant system, including the reservoir tank, check hoses and fittings, test the water pump, and also may pressure test the radiator. When the problem or problems are found, they will replace the necessary parts and get you back on the road.

When it comes to a coolant leak, finding the cause can be tricky. But it’s important to catch a cooling system issue in time—before your engine sustains more serious damage. Now, that’s pretty cool.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Cool Running In St. Peter

Unless you live in Death Valley, you really don’t hear much any more about cars overheating. That’s because cooling systems in vehicles have been much improved. That doesn’t mean you can’t overheat your minivan engine, though. Without proper preventive maintenance, you could still find yourself on the side of the interstate in St. Peter waiting for your minivan engine to cool down.

When you service your cooling system at Autotronics of ST Peter, your tech will check the condition of the coolant. It can become corrosive over time, which can damage a radiator — leading to an overheated engine. Changing the coolant periodically is good car care. Your minivan owner’s manual can give you guidelines on how often to replace it.

If your engine overheated, your knowledgeable service advisor will also check your coolant system for leaks. Check the minivan radiator for cracks and the radiator hoses for leaks. He’ll also check your water pump. They don’t need to be replaced on a regular schedule, but they do need an inspection regularly. They can and do wear out.

The water pump is a critical component of your minivan cooling system. It pumps the coolant to keep it circulating through the engine. The coolant is cooled in the radiator, then it travels through the engine, where it absorbs heat, then it returns to the radiator, where it releases the heat. And so on. But a water pump is something of a misnomer. The fluid pumped through your minivan cooling system is not just water. It also contains coolant, which is actually poisonous. You should never consider your radiator as an emergency water supply.

There are many types of coolant. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, and using the wrong kind could damage your engine. Your technician will know which kind your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. The team of automotive professionals at Autotronics of ST Peter is always a good source for auto advice. We’ve been providing quality automotive services at our convenient location in St. Peter for 13 years.

Keeping your cooling system in good repair will help keep your engine running well, and keep you out of the Cleveland repair shop. This means that a regular cooling system inspection should be on your schedule for routine preventive maintenance of your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often you need to do this. It varies depending on what kind of car you drive, what type of driving you do and where you live in MN.

At Autotronics of ST Peter, we help you keep your cool which will keep you in the driving lane.