Engine cooling system / how does it work? (3D animation)

 Engine cooling system / how does it work? (3D animation)

In the video, we learn about the general structure and operating principle of one of the subsystems of a car engine - the engine cooling system. The video briefly explains the cooling jacket, coolant pump (water pump), cooling radiator, expansion tank, thermostat, heater radiator (heater core), engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT sensor), and coolant – in a vechle.

Internal combustion (IC) engines generate a lot of heat when operating. In order to prevent the engine seizing, it is necessary to remove the heat. The job of the cooling water system is not to continuously cool the engine, the job of the cooling water system is to regulate the engine temperature in order to maintain the optimum operational temperature.

Note that we refer to the cooling water system in the video, but we could also be referring to a jacket cooling water system, the terms are interchangeable.

Operation

Cooling water is circulated through the engine by a cooling water pump. The pump is driven from the crankshaft via a belt, chain or gear. When the engine is cold, the cooling water is recirculated and bypasses the radiator. When the engine is hot, cooling water is sent to the radiator to be cooled. The thermostat regulates the flow to the radiator, or flow by passing the radiator. Typically the thermostat will be set to maintain a cooling water temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius.

Thermostat

The engine thermostat consists of a rod, several springs, primary valve (main valve), secondary valve (bypass valve) and a charge cylinder. The charge cylinder is full of a wax with a melting point of approximately 80 degrees Celsius. When the cooling water exceeds 80 degrees Celsius, the wax melts and becomes liquid. The liquid wax is larger in volume compared to when the wax is in a solid state. A rod inserted into the charge cylinder is pushed out of the cylinder due to the expansion of the wax. The rod pushes the bypass valve linearly away from the thermostat body and thus closes the bypass valve. At the same time, the main valve is opened and cooling water is sent to the radiator.

The thermostat is a proportional response device and opens/closes proportionally depending upon the engine cooling water temperature.

Ant-Freeze

Anti-freeze is added to the cooling water in order to prevent the water freezing in sub-zero conditions. Freezing of the cooling water leads to expansion of the water and this could potentially damage engine components such as the cylinder block.

Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors are added in order to prevent rust accumulation on the internal surfaces of the cooling water system components and to keep the heat transfer surfaces clean.

 Engine cooling system / how does it work? (3D animation)

In the video, we learn about the general structure and operating principle of one of the subsystems of a car engine - the engine cooling system. The video briefly explains the cooling jacket, coolant pump (water pump), cooling radiator, expansion tank, thermostat, heater radiator (heater core), engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT sensor), and coolant – in a vechle.

Internal combustion (IC) engines generate a lot of heat when operating. In order to prevent the engine seizing, it is necessary to remove the heat. The job of the cooling water system is not to continuously cool the engine, the job of the cooling water system is to regulate the engine temperature in order to maintain the optimum operational temperature.

Note that we refer to the cooling water system in the video, but we could also be referring to a jacket cooling water system, the terms are interchangeable.

Operation

Cooling water is circulated through the engine by a cooling water pump. The pump is driven from the crankshaft via a belt, chain or gear. When the engine is cold, the cooling water is recirculated and bypasses the radiator. When the engine is hot, cooling water is sent to the radiator to be cooled. The thermostat regulates the flow to the radiator, or flow by passing the radiator. Typically the thermostat will be set to maintain a cooling water temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius.

Thermostat

The engine thermostat consists of a rod, several springs, primary valve (main valve), secondary valve (bypass valve) and a charge cylinder. The charge cylinder is full of a wax with a melting point of approximately 80 degrees Celsius. When the cooling water exceeds 80 degrees Celsius, the wax melts and becomes liquid. The liquid wax is larger in volume compared to when the wax is in a solid state. A rod inserted into the charge cylinder is pushed out of the cylinder due to the expansion of the wax. The rod pushes the bypass valve linearly away from the thermostat body and thus closes the bypass valve. At the same time, the main valve is opened and cooling water is sent to the radiator.

The thermostat is a proportional response device and opens/closes proportionally depending upon the engine cooling water temperature.

Ant-Freeze

Anti-freeze is added to the cooling water in order to prevent the water freezing in sub-zero conditions. Freezing of the cooling water leads to expansion of the water and this could potentially damage engine components such as the cylinder block.

Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors are added in order to prevent rust accumulation on the internal surfaces of the cooling water system components and to keep the heat transfer surfaces clean.