Cooling System Service
What services and problems must I watch for in my car?
Symptoms of Cooling System Problems
- Overheating
- Repeatedly Needing to Add Antifreeze
- Constant Leakage
- “Sweet” Smell
Antifreeze (Coolant)
Antifreeze: What is it?
Antifreeze is most commonly green in color. It uses ethylene glycol as a base containing anti-corrosion additives within its composition. The ethylene glycol in the formula provides critical anti-freezing properties. The additives deliver the anti-rust and anti-corrosion capabilities.
Beginning with 1995 model vehicles, many vehicles started coming from the factory filled with an extended-life antifreeze, trademarked as DEX-COOL®. Distinctively different in appearance, DEX-COOL®, and its aftermarket equivalents, is an orange/amber color. It still uses ethylene glycol as a base, but contains a different additive package than standard green-colored antifreeze. This coolant is designed to protect cooling systems for up to 150,000 miles or five years. Other antifreeze formulations include silicate-free for Japanese cars and phosphate-free for European cars.
Engine Cooling System
Engine Cooling: What is it?
The engine cooling system affects your car’s performance, dependability and engine longevity. Cooling systems have become quite advanced over the many years. New coolant formulations and new radiator designs are now standard in the industry.
Because of these changes, we recommend that anyone suspecting cooling system problems contact their service professional immediately.
Factors Affecting Cooling System Wear and Tear:
- Type of vehicle
- Operating conditions
- Driving habits
- Type of coolant (see above for different types of cooling fluid)
- Regular Maintenance and its frequency.
Antifreeze: What does it do?
Antifreeze and water provide excellent anti-freeze, anti-boil and anticorrosive properties, designed to protect your car.
Antifreeze: Maintenance Tips/Suggestions
It is always best to select a professional automotive service professional when dealing with cooling problems in the car.
Most people do not understand the following warnings when dealing with cooling system issues.
1. You should check your owner’s manual for antifreeze usage specifications. That said, antifreeze, when mixed at a 50/50 ratio with water, provides:
- excellent anti-freeze
- anti-boil
- anti-corrosive properties
2. In extremely cold environments, the ratio for standard ethylene glycol can go as high as 70% antifreeze, 30% water. With DEX-COOL®, the maximum ratio of antifreeze to water is 60/40. Although DEX-COOL® type antifreeze can be mixed with standard ethylene glycol antifreeze, DEX-COOL® loses its 5 yr./150,000 life.
3. As such, it’s best not to mix antifreeze types unless absolutely necessary. All coolants must be diluted with water at the proper ratios and should not be used full-strength. Full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water.
4. Generally, standard ethylene glycol type antifreeze should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles. See your service professional.
5. Even though the coolant freeze protection may test OK with a hydrometer (freeze protection only drops with extreme dilution, not with age), the additives break down over time.
6. When changing coolant, it also presents an opportune time to replace bad cooling system hoses. Leaking, brittle, spongy, cracked, or rotted hoses should be replaced before new antifreeze is installed. This is a necessity and again highlights the need to have an automotive service professional see the problem.
7. Hose clamp connections should also be checked to ensure that they’re secure and free from leaks. If you decide to service your cooling system yourself, use extreme caution: Opening a hot radiator or coolant reservoir/overflow tank can cause severe burns.
8. Be sure that both the engine and cooling system are cool before you begin any heating/cooling system maintenance or repairs. Because of lower hood profiles and cramped engine quarters, it’s also possible that your car may be equipped with an air bleed for the cooling system. Unless the cooling system is bled properly, air may stay trapped in the system and cause erratic temperatures, or in extreme cases, engine or cooling system damage.
9. If you’re unsure about any aspect of cooling system service, don’t take a chance. Have your car looked at by a professional service technician.
