What is the function of the cooling system?
2 Answers
The function of the cooling system is to keep the engine within the appropriate temperature range under all operating conditions. The cooling system must prevent the engine from overheating as well as from becoming too cold in winter. Cooling systems can be divided into air-cooled and water-cooled based on the cooling medium used. A system that dissipates heat from high-temperature engine components directly into the atmosphere is called an air-cooled system. A system that first transfers this heat to coolant and then dissipates it into the atmosphere is called a water-cooled system. Due to its uniform cooling, high efficiency, and reduced engine noise, water-cooled systems are widely used in automotive engines today.
I've been driving heavy trucks for over a decade, and the cooling system is literally the lifeblood of the engine. It's like installing air conditioning for the machine—engine temperatures can soar to over 2000 degrees during operation, relying entirely on coolant circulating through areas like the cylinder liners and cylinder heads to dissipate heat. Without it, piston rings would expand and seize, cylinder head gaskets would burn through, and the entire engine might even be scrapped. My cousin's truck learned this the hard way when it ran without coolant due to a leak, ending up with a 20,000-plus engine replacement. Now, I take it extremely seriously: checking coolant levels and color every six months, regularly cleaning insect debris from the radiator, and ensuring the system keeps the engine temperature safely around 90 degrees at all times.
