When it comes to vehicle maintenance, many people may tend to overlook the cooling system.
After all, if the vehicle is not showing signs of overheating or you do not notice any leakage on the ground under the engine,
most would assume there is nothing to worry about.
Performing maintenance on the cooling system is more important than you think.
And is more than just adding new coolant and replacing a water pump when needed.
The maintenance process is relatively simple and consists of performing tasks that even people with no mechanical experience can do.
Here are steps for performing Cooling System Maintenance on your vehicle:
- Check coolant/antifreeze levels periodically and add coolant/antifreeze when needed.
- Look for any signs of leaking under the car, from the water pump, the hoses or the radiator.
- Check all the hoses connected to water pump and radiator.
- Pressure Test the radiator cap to ensure it is holding the proper pressure and not leaking.
- Check the thermostat – once the coolant reaches a certain temperature, the thermostat opens up allowing coolant to flow, regulating the coolant temperature. If the thermostat is stuck and will not open, it causes poor circulation and can lead to the engine overheating.
- Confirm the engine cooling fan is operating correctly.
- When replacing the water pump, flush the entire cooling system. Draining and replacing coolant is not enough. Flushing the cooling system removes any build-up of sediment or rust, which could prematurely damage the new water pump.
The most important thing is to remember to perform these tasks on a semi-regular basis,
which will help lead to longer engine life.
If you feel that you cannot do these tasks yourself or suspect that something may be wrong,
then take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic for further inspection.
Your vehicles cooling system is vital to engine performance and longevity.
If there is something wrong, the engine can overheat causing major damage like a cracked cylinder head or warped cylinders
– both of which are expensive repairs.
Make sure that you regularly check your cooling system to ensure long life for the engine in your vehicle.
