3 Simple, Effective Methods to Check the Cooling System

Cooling system is one of the systems that plays a very important role in a car. It helps the engine work at normal temperature and helps cool the engine best. 

Therefore, a failure of the cooling system will cause the engine to overheat or may even lead to some unfortunate failures that will occur on machine parts. However, to be able to diagnose whether the cooling system has a problem or not is not simple. 

Therefore, you should pay more attention to the expression when the car is operating and should check the cooling system regularly. Article below Thanh Phong Auto Please send to you 3 methods of testing the simplest cooling system, follow along!

Experience Testing Simple Cooling System

Method 1: Identify the problem

1. Observe the cooling solution temperature meter.

Once the cooling system has a problem, the first indication that we can easily recognize it is the temperature clock on the taplo.

• In case the engine is not overheating but the temperature value is higher than allowed, even if the temperature gauge is within the allowed range, it is possible that the cooling system has a problem.
• Turn off the engine immediately if the clock needle is in the red area, this shows that the engine is overheating.
• When the meter is in the green zone and the engine does not reach the appropriate operating temperature, it may also be a problem with the cooling system.

> Recommended references: How to handle when the temperature indicator light on Taplo lights up

2. The engine error light comes on when the cooling system has a problem

The "check engine" light is the next sign that you can rely on to know if the cooling system is having a problem or not. When the car has engine errors, then this light will be on. Then, so you can identify the error of the engine most accurately, you can use the OBD-II error code reader.

3. Signs of leakage of coolant

When there is a pool of water under your car, it is a sign of leakage of coolant. This is also one of the very common signs that your car's cooling system is having problems. In case your engine is overheated, this leakage will occur. 

You just need to touch your finger with the puddle and apply it on the white paper, if it is a coolant, it will be orange, pink or blue. If it is black or brown, it is engine oil, while the colorless case is water from the air conditioning system.

4. Check the coolant container

Try checking the coolant container if you feel the coolant is showing signs of leaking. The test method is as follows:

• To check the coolant tank, wait until your car's engine has completely cooled down and then turn on the hood. The lines in the tank represent the maximum coolant levels and minimum coolant levels.
• If after a few days you check the coolant level in the tank and see that it has decreased a little, it proves that the solution is burned or leaking.

> Recommended: Note when repairing and maintaining the cooling water tank

Method 2: Check the cooling system with naked eyes

1. Do not work while the engine is still hot

In case when the engine is still too hot, there will be a lot of danger, so wait until the engine has cooled down.Then, check the cooling system for leaks.

2. Wear protective gear when working.

Gloves and glasses are two indispensable protective equipment while you check the cooling system. To protect your hands from problems such as burns or scratches, you should use protective gloves, while the goggles help you protect your eyes from the spray of the cooling system that leaks into your eyes.

3. Check the radiator cap (radiator cap).

The radiator cap (radiator cap) is also one of the common components in the cooling system or is damaged. 

The radiator cap is similar to the pressure cooker's exhaust system, it has a cooling effect and releases the excess pressure that is usually accumulated in the cooling system, but it is inevitable if it is stuck or stuck. worn over time. 

One of the possible causes of a cooling system leak is that the radiator cap is covered with dirt, rust, or corrosion.

You can buy radiator covers at most auto parts shops, large and small, because they are quite cheap. And especially note that when the engine is still hot, do not open the radiator cap.

4. If possible check the water pump.

If your water pump is damaged or leaking, then you should check the belt, because the water pump will usually be driven by a belt. 

You will have to replace the belt if it is damaged. Or you can refer to the vehicle manual if you do not know the location of the water pump.

> Recommended references: Experience in repairing car coolant pumps

5. Try to find faulty faults on the plumbing.

Damages to water pipes, such as: blocked pipes, broken pipes, etc. will also greatly affect the cooling system. 

In particular, the cooling solution will be in shortage, lost when the water pipe has a crack condition, which contributes to the performance of the cooling system more clearly. You should replace both the belt and the plumbing system if they are rubbing together. 

Maybe you do not know in places such as the lid or plumbing head often cracked phenomenon of water pipes. In addition, once the tube glue is corrupted is also one of the reasons for the cooling water to leak out.

Method 3: Should check common errors of cooling system

1. Where should replace the cooling solution.

When your vehicle is in normal condition, there is no sign of a coolant leak but the engine is very hot, it may be due to the degeneration of the coolant. 

Therefore, Thanh Phong Auto recommends that when your car has traveled from 30.000 to 60.000 km, you should immediately replace the cooling solution. And the steps to change coolant are as follows:

• First, at the bottom of the radiator there is a bolt you should open it first, then drain the old coolant into some container.
• Next, you need to fill the cooling system with water and run the engine continuously for a few minutes to drain all the dirty water and residue.
• Finally, you need to do this a few more times to completely drain the old solution, then you can pour the new coolant into the cooling system.

> Recommended references: Knowledge about engine coolant solution should know

2. Try to look for signs of damaged cap gaskets.

If there is a leak of coolant from the cover next to the exhaust pipe or when the engine is operating normally and white smoke appears, the lid may be damaged. So you need to look for signs of damage. 

You should go to the car garage to blow the lid, because this job requires high-skilled techniques to do it and moreover it takes a lot of time to be able to do this job.

3. Check how the thermostat valve works, is it good.

Based on the operating temperature of the engine, the constant temperature valve will be opened or closed. When the cooling fluid flows continuously through the radiator, and the engine is overcooled, the thermostat is stuck in the open position at this time. And vice versa, the thermostat valve is stuck in the closed position. 

If the constant temperature valve is leaking, it will not be able to function normally.

4. The error code should be identified by the OBD II error code reader.

In case when the "check engine" light suddenly comes on, you can pinpoint problems that occur by using the OBD-II diagnostic machine:

• You should plug in the OBD-II device to the port below the driver's dashboard, and at the same time turn the key and diagnostic device to the "on" button.
• At that time, the scanner will show you an error code or error code for you to look up and some English description of that error code.

5. Check the pressure of the cooling system.

• Attach and remove the radiator cap already included in the vehicle kit into the correct position.
• If you want the gauge pressure to increase to a certain value and then the pressure does not increase anymore, you need to attach the test tube to the cap and stuff the pump. Then what you need to do is wait a while and observe the pressure on the gauge again: 
  • In case the pressure is normal, that is, it does not increase or decrease, it means that the cooling system is not leaking solution.
  • If the pressure shows signs of decreasing, it proves that the coolant is leaking and you need to take it to a car garage for timely repair.

> Recommended: Instructions for checking car water tank pressure

Above is 3 Cooling system testing method the most effective, the simplest Thanh Phong Auto want to introduce to you.

Hopefully the above sharing will make it easier for you to check your cooling system. In case you cannot check it yourself, you can bring your car to Thanh Phong Auto, we will help you check and fix the problem accurately and effectively.