Motorists should be aware of the importance of their cooling system. For those who have a faint idea, they may ask what a cooling system is and what the different parts of a cooling system are.
A cooling system is a part of the engine that prevents engine breakdown due to overheating. All the parts that make up the cooling system have only one purpose and that is to make sure that the circulation of the coolant inside the engine can absorb and release heat. An ordinary cooling system is made up of the following parts:
1. Radiator
2. Radiator Hose
3. Radiator Bottom Hose
4. Water Pump
5. Thermostat
6. Thermostat Housing
7. Electric Cooling Fan
8. Thermo-Time Switch
Radiator - is the most important part. The coolants passing through the different parts of the engine is being pump through the tube of the radiator and then cools it for the next circulation.
Radiator Hoses- is composed of many rubber hoses used for the flow of fluid. It should be replaced even before they become brittle.
Water Pump - is the part of the system that pumps the coolant. It is run by a belt.
Thermostat - controls the flow of coolant to maintain the heat or coolness of it. In case the temperature of the engine is lower, the thermostat would increase the temperature. And also in times that you experienced being stuck in a traffic jam, the thermostat will make the engine cooler.
Electric Cooling Fan - most vehicles have electric fan that serves as or an additional cooler for the engine. The fan helps the radiator to release the heat when the car is not running smoothly to maintain the coolness of the radiator.
Thermo Time switch - also known as the fan switch. It is the temperature sensor that dictates to the fan when to release the hot air.
Although many changes have been made to enhance the motor's engine but still it is not enough to fully convert 100 percent chemical energy into mechanical energy. Seventy percent of the energy coming from diesel is converted to heat, and this is the sole purpose of the cooling system to maintain the heat being release by the engine to prevent engine overheating. Aside from this, when the vehicle is running in a colder temperature the cooling system helps in maintaining the heat of the engine to sustain the right temperature.
(Cyrille Dela Cruz is one of the contributors of NLEXpress, a monthly publication on road safety and driver education of Tollways Management Corporation (TMC), Operator of both North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway. She is the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Engineer at TMC.)
