What are the benefits of air-cooled engines?
1 Answers
Benefits of air-cooled engines: No coolant or cooling system is required, making them lighter in weight, easier to maintain, and simpler in structure. However, air-cooled engines also have their own drawbacks, which is why most cars no longer use this type of engine. Most cars are equipped with water-cooled engines, which rely on coolant circulating continuously within the engine to remove excess heat. In water-cooled engines, the coolant follows two circulation paths: a major cycle and a minor cycle. When the engine is first started, the coolant undergoes a minor cycle within the engine, bypassing the radiator for cooling, which helps the engine warm up quickly. Once the engine reaches its normal operating temperature, the coolant switches to a major cycle, passing through the radiator to dissipate heat, thereby maintaining the engine within a normal operating temperature range.