Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Cooling System
Coolant flows through the engine block absorbing the heat from the engine, then flows to the radiator where the cooling fins in the radiator transfers the heat from the coolant to the atmosphere. During cold weather the ethylene glycol or propylene glycol coolant prevents water present in the cooling system from freezing within temperatures indicated by the mixture ratio of the coolant to water.
The cooling system regulates engine operating temperature. It allows the engine to reach normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, maintains normal operating temperature and prevents overheating.
The cooling system also provides a means of heating the passenger compartment. The cooling system is pressurized and uses a centrifugal water pump to circulate coolant throughout the system.
The engine cooling systems primary purpose is to maintain engine temperature in a range that will provide satisfactory engine performance and emission levels under all expected driving conditions. It also provides hot coolant for heater performance. It does this by transferring heat from engine metal to coolant, moving this heated coolant to the radiator (7), and then transferring this heat to the ambient air.
- When engine is cold: The thermostat is closed, the cooling system has no flow through the radiator (7). The coolant bypass flows through the engine only.
- When engine is warm: The thermostat is open, the cooling system has bypass flow and coolant flow through radiator (7).
The cooling system consists of:
- Electric cooling fan.
- Transmission oil cooler.
- A aluminum core radiator with plastic tanks (7).
- Coolant recovery reservoir (8).
- Thermostat.
- Coolant.
- Water pump (6).
- Hoses and hose clamps.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.