Cooling Systems

Combustion Engines
When fuel is burned, heat is produced.
One third of the heat produces is used to power the engine.
One third of the heat leaves with the exhaust gases.
One third of the heat must be removed by the cooling system.
Cooling passages are cast into the engine block and cylinder head. The passages are filled
with a coolant and the engine is surrounded by a jacket of liquid. The coolant surrounds the
cylinder, valve guides, head, spark plug seat, and top of the combustion chamber. The block
and cylinder head absorb the heat of the burning fuel. The heat is conducted through the part
and into the coolant contained in the cooling passages. Coolant absorbs the heat and transfers
it to the outside of the engine. The coolant will absorb just so much heat, then it will boil away;
therefore, the coolant must move through the engine.
A coolant pump is needed. Pumps are centrifugal pumps using an impeller. Impeller consists
of a round plate fastened to a rotating shaft to which a series of flat or curved vanes are
attached. The heat exchanger is usually referred to as a radiator. Coolant flows down or across
through small copper or aluminum tubes. The tubes are flattened to provide the least
resistance to airflow and have thin metal fins soldered over their entire length. The tube and fin
assembly is known as the radiator core. As the coolant makes its way through the core, it gives
off heat to the tubes and fins. The tubes give off their heat, via the fins to the air passing
around them.
One or more power operated fans are used to draw air through the radiator core. Electric
fans can be placed close to the radiator and do not require a shroud. If the fan is set too far
back then it will recirculate the same air. As the vehicle gains speed on the road, air is force
through the radiator core; therefore, the fan becomes less and less useful. The heat produced
could cause the coolant to exceed its boiling point. By pressurizing the cooling system the
boiling point of the coolant is raised. Every one psi(6.895 kpa) increase raises the boiling point
by 3F(1.66C). By pressurizing the system to 103 kpa, the boiling point of the coolant will
increase by 25C. Pressurization also increases coolant pump efficiency.
Place a pressure cap on the radiator filler neck. As the coolant heats up, it also expands
and squeezes the air on the top of the coolant. When the pressure overcomes the spring
holding the pressure cap seal valve closed, the seal valve will rise.