The cooling system on your car or truck consists of several different components that work as a system and is designed to keep your vehicle’s engine at a normal operating temperature by circulating coolant through the vehicles radiator.
Cooling systems take a lot of abuse, so period maintenance and repair may be required to keep the system operating properly.
The most common components of your cars cooling system include:
- Water pump
- Thermostat
- Radiator
- Cooling fans
- Hoses
- Antifreeze/coolant fluid.
The heart of your cars cooling system is the water pump.
The water pump is responsible for circulating the liquid coolant/antifreeze throughout the engine and radiator. When functioning properly, this cycle happens continuosly when the vehicle is running at operating temperature.
Water pumps usually fail because the internal seals start to leak. If you notice wetness around the water pump it may be time to have it replaced.
What does a water pump cost in Naperville?
Contact the cooling system experts at Naperville Automotive Solutions if you think you need a new water pump. The cost varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle and where the water pump is located in your car.
Radiator Repair and Replacement for your Vehicle.
The other major component in your cooling system is the radiator.
The radiator’s job is to transfer the heat out of the liquid coolant. This heat transfer is enabled by the cooling fans as well as the air that flows through the radiator as your vehicle moves down the road.
Radiators can fail in several different ways.
- The most common failure is a radiator leak. Modern radiators are made from plastic and aluminum so repairing the leak is no longer possible.
- Radiators can also fail due to an internal blockage. If your cooling system is not serviced on a regular schedule, corrosion and debris can build up and clog the cooling passages of the radiator causing a blockage which usually results in having to replace the radiator.
Common Cooling Fan Problems.
Cooling fans also play a major role in keeping the vehicle operating at a normal temperature.
Most vehicles have electric fans but some have mechanical fans which are operated by a fan clutch.
The electric fans are normally controlled by the engine’s computer which senses the coolant temperature and turns the fan on and off depending on the engine temperature.
When operating, these fans draw air through the vehicle’s radiator in order to remove the heat from the engines cooling system. Cooling fans are not commonly replaced but can fail.
The most common failure with the mechanical fans is the fan clutch.
A sign that your fan clutch is starting to wear out is a loud wind rushing noise from under the hood while driving down the road. This can be an indication that your fan clutch is not disengaging properly.
Electric fans have electric motors that can fail. The relays that control the fans can also stop working. Either of these issues would cause the cooling fans to become inoperative resulting in improper airflow through the radiator.
The most common Cooling System failure is your vehicles thermostat.
The thermostat is a mechanical valve that opens and closes depending on engine coolant temperature.
The purpose of the thermostat is to maintain a consistent operating temperature for the engine.
Thermostats usually fail in 1 of 2 ways.
- The thermostat can fail to open, not allowing coolant to flow between the engine and radiator. This will cause your vehicle to overheat.
- The thermostat can also fail to close properly, allowing coolant to flow into the radiator before the engine is up to operating temperature. This can cause the engine to run less efficiently due to the fact that it is not running at its optimal temperature.
Check Your Car’s Antifreeze – Coolant and Hoses often!
The lifeblood of the system is coolant, sometimes referred to as antifreeze. This liquid protects the engine from corrosion, freezing and boiling.
The coolant in your vehicle should be serviced on a set schedule depending on what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends.
Most modern vehicles should have the coolant changed every 5 years or 100,000 miles but others should be changed at a lesser interval.
If the coolant is not changed in the vehicle it can lead to internal engine corrosion, gasket deterioration, heater core clogging issues as well as clogging of your radiator.
An antifreeze-coolant change generally costs around $100 which is cheap insurance against more costly repairs.
Why Should You Choose Naperville Automotive Solutions for Your Vehicles Cooling System Repairs and Check Ups?
Our highly trained mechanics provide water pump, radiator, thermostat, hoses, cooling fans and antifreeze – coolant repairs and replacements on domestic automobiles including Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, GMC, Dodge, Jeep, Pontiac, Cadillac, Saturn, Corvette as well as high performance vehicles.
We also service most import vehicles including Volkswagen, Honda, Acura, Toyota, Infinity, Nissan, Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Saab, Volvo, Land Rover, Porsche, Lexus, Scion, Mazda, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi, Kia, and Suzuki.
Naperville Automotive Solutions is a family owned and operated automotive service and repair shop located in Naperville, IL. Our convenient centralized location allows us to service the Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield and Oswego areas.
Naperville Automotive Solutions
25W102 Ramm Drive
Naperville, IL 60564
Call us at (630) 585-7560
