The automotive cooling system works to cool the engine using liquid and circulates it throughout the vehicle. It is comprised of a radiator, fan, coolant, water pump, heater core, and thermostat. The radiator cools the hot coolant and uses fins to guide airflow. A fan pulls air through the radiator to cool the coolant. The water pump circulates the coolant throughout the system while the thermostat controls coolant flow. The heater core warms incoming air to heat the vehicle interior. Common problems include leaks and component malfunctions.

1. Automotive Cooling System
By Hunter Miller

2. What is it?
• A way to cool your engine using liquid.
• Keeps engine at proper operating
temperature.(200 Degrees F)
• Also has other functions such as running your
heater inside your car.

3. Components
• Radiator
• Fan
• Coolant
• Water Pump
• Heater Core
• Thermostat

4. Radiator
• Made of Aluminum.
• Allows hot coolant to cool.
• Uses fins to guide air flow around coolant
hose.
• Many have side tanks to cool other fluids as
well.

5. Fan
• Made of metal or plastic.
• Either motor driven or electric.
• Motor driven fans are usually used on Rear-
wheeled drive, and electric is used on Front-
wheeled drive cars.
• Used to pull air through radiator to cool
coolant.
• Usually used with a shroud made of plastic or
metal to properly guide air flow.

6. Fans Cont.
• Most electric fans are connected to a
thermostat which controls when they operate.
• Clutch fans are used to control engine
operated fans. These engage at certain
temperatures also but the clutch itself
controls it.

7. Water Pump
• Centrifugal Design meaning the coolant is
pushed outwards.
• This causes the fluid to move throughout the
system.
• Pulley driven.

8. Thermostat
• Allows coolant to enter radiator once engine is
at operating temperature.
• Helps engine stay at operating temperature.
• Once engine cools it shuts again blocking off
the radiator.

9. Heater Core
• A small radiator located inside dash.
• Once “heater” is turned on coolant is allowed
into heater core.
• A fan called a blower motor then forces air
through heater core warming it and then
blows it into car.

10. Coolant
• Most modern day coolant is ethylene
glycol, also called antifreeze.
• Doesn’t freeze and has a higher boiling point
then water so its more efficient.
• It is very toxic though and is harmful if
swallowed. It is a bright green similar to the
background of this to warn humans of what it
is so its doesn’t get drank.

11. Coolant Cont.
• Has a sweet taste so sadly pets and other
animals are attracted to it if not disposed of
properly.
• Many new efficient non toxic coolants have
been hitting the market such as propylene
glycol.

12. Problems
• Leaks are the most common problem.
• They can be tested for using a cooling system
pressure tester.
• Usually a minor fix such as hoses, clamps, or
gaskets.
• Other problems include component
malfunctions such as radiators, fans,
thermostats or water pumps not working
correctly.