How to Maintain Your Motorhome

How to Avoid an Overheating Engine

Even on the very coldest of days, your car will not go very far without its heat exchanger mechanism. Most people refer to this as a radiator and do not give it much attention during everyday life, but there is certainly a risk of some significant issues if it fails. So, why do you need to pay closer attention to this efficient device, and what problems could cause a failure?

Cooling System at Work

The temperature inside your vehicle's engine should hover around 100°C when everything is working correctly, but it would get significantly higher without a cooling mechanism. So, to ensure that the engine does not overheat, engineers have added a network of channels around the engine block that carry a cooling liquid when the motor is running. This liquid is pumped in one continuous motion through the engine and back out to your forward-facing radiator. This device works as a heat exchanger when the coolant is forced through a matrix of tiny tubes and fins forming the radiator's face.

When the vehicle is being driven down the road, the cooler air will be forced across the face of the radiator. In so doing, it will remove much of that unwanted heat. The cooler liquid will then flow back into the engine block to start the cycle once again.

Avoid Clogging

It's very important to use a special coolant rather than simply water for this important purpose. It's also important to look at the radiator from time to time to make sure that those tiny fins and tubes do not become clogged. Unfortunately, tiny particles of contamination will build up in the coolant as time goes by. This contamination may come from inside the rubber hose or the engine itself and can sometimes build up within the radiator.

Watch for Additional Problems

As a radiator must face forward if it is to work properly, it's exposed to road debris. Sometimes, tiny stones can be flung up by a passing vehicle, which may damage the radiator's face. Therefore, it is equally as important to inspect the outside of your heat exchange mechanism during a regular service to avoid any additional issues.

How to Avoid Issues

Should the radiator become clogged, the flow of water will be disrupted, which will invariably lead to higher operating temperatures and the potential for bigger problems. So, always present your vehicle for a service when requested, and your mechanic will ensure that your cooling system is in good condition. 

For more info about heat exchangers, contact a local company.