Introduction

Almost all automobiles employ liquid cooling systems for their

engines. Cooling systems remove heat from the engine using
the properties of heat transfer. Modern cars use liquid cooling
systems. These use a fluid circulated within the engine, that is
then pumped out of the engine into a radiator, where the heat is
released. Less common is the air cooled engine. These
engines are common in non automotive applications, and have
been used successfully in cars. Air cooled engines use airflow
over the surface of the engine to remove excess heat.
Automotive applications generally include a fan to force air over
the engine. In a liquid cooled engine, the liquid coolant is a
mixture of distilled water and antifreeze, of which the base
ingredient is methyl alcohol. The fluid is pumped through
channels that are manufactured into the engine block. The fluid
draws heat out of the engine and flows into the radiator to be
cooled. The radiator is a set of pipes with thousands of thin
metal fins mounted them. The fins conduct the heat out of the
liquid which is cooled enough to be cycled back into the engine
to repeat the process. The radiator has a fan that blows outside
air against the fins. This increases the amount of air that flows
over the cooling fins of the radiator and allow for more heat to
be removed from the liquid coolant. Since combustion engines
operate better at a higher temperature, a device called a
'thermostat' is designed into the cooling system of modern
engines to help them warm up more quickly. A thermostat is a
small valve in the cooling system which is closed when the
engine is cold. This blocks the coolant from flowing into the
radiator and allows it to heat up at a quicker pace. As the
coolant reaches the desired temperature, wax in the thermostat
melts and pressurizes which forces the valve open. The coolant
is now able to flow into the radiator ensuring that the engine
temperature stays constant and does not overheat.
The work of Cooling System:
There are two types of cooling systems found on motor
vehicles:
1. Liquid cooled
2. Air cooled.
Air cooled engines are found on a few older cars, like the
original Volkswagen Beetle, the Chevrolet Corvair and a few
others. Many modern motorcycles still use air cooling, but for
the most part, automobiles and trucks use liquid cooled
systems. The cooling system is made up of the passages
inside the engine block and heads, a water pump to circulate
the coolant, a thermostat to control the temperature of the
coolant, a radiator to cool the coolant, a radiator cap to control
the pressure in the system. cooling system works by sending a
liquid coolant through passages in the engine block and heads.
As the coolant flows through these passages, it picks up heat
from the engine. The heated fluid then makes its way through a
rubber hose to the radiator in the front of the car. As it flows
through the thin tubes in the radiator, the hot liquid is cooled by
the air stream entering the engine compartment from the grill in
front of the car. Once the fluid is cooled, it returns to the engine
to absorb more heat. The water pump has the job of keeping
the fluid moving through this system of plumbing and hidden
passages.
The Components of a Cooling System:

1. The.Radiator
The radiator core is usually made of flattened aluminum tubes
with aluminum strips that zigzag between the tubes. These fins
transfer the heat in the tubes into the air stream to be carried
away from the vehicle. On each end of the radiator core is a
tank, usually made of plastic that covers the ends of the
radiator.

2. Radiator.Fans
Mounted on the back of the radiator on the side closest to the
engine is one or two electric fans inside a housing that is
designed to protect fingers and to direct the air flow. These fans
are there to keep the air flow going through the radiator while
the vehicle is going slow or is stopped with the engine running.
If these fans stopped working, every time you came to a stop,
the engine temperature would begin rising.
3. Pressure. cap.and.reserve.tank
As coolant gets hot, it expands. Since the cooling system is
sealed, this expansion causes an increase in pressure in the
cooling system, which is normal and part of the design. When
coolant is under pressure, the temperature where the liquid
begins to boil is considerably higher. This pressure, coupled
with the higher boiling point of ethylene glycol, allows the
coolant to safely reach temperatures in excess of 250 degrees.

4. Water Pump
A water pump is a simple device that will keep the coolant
moving as long as the engine is running. It is usually mounted
on the front of the engine and turns whenever the engine is
running. The water pump is driven by the engine through one of
the following
1. A fan belt that will also be responsible for driving an
additional component like an alternator or power steering
pump
2. A serpentine belt, which also drives the alternator, power
steering pump and
3. AC compressor among other things.
5. Thermostat
The thermostat is simply a valve that measures the
temperature of the coolant and, if it is hot enough, opens to
allow the coolant to flow through the radiator. If the coolant is
not hot enough, the flow to the radiator is blocked and fluid is
directed to a bypass system that allows the coolant to return
directly back to the engine. The bypass system allows the
coolant to keep moving through the engine to balance the
temperature and avoid hot spots. Because flow to the radiator
is blocked, the engine will reach operating temperature sooner
and, on a cold day, will allow the heater to begin supplying hot
air to the interior more quickly.

6. Water Jacket
The water passages in the cylinder block and cylinder head
form the engine waterjacket, In the cylinder block, the water
jacket completely surrounds all cylinders along their full length.
Within the jacket, narrow passages are provided between the
cylinders for coolant circulation around them. In addition, water
passages are provided around the valve seats and other hot
parts of the cylinder block In the cylinder head, the water jacket
covers the combustion chambers at the top of the cylinders and
contains passages around the valve seats when the valves are
located in the head.