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Summary
  • The cooling system is made up of different components, including the radiator, water pump, thermostat, heater core, and freeze plugs, among others.
  • The radiator is a device that uses air to cool off the coolant that has absorbed the heat generated by the engine.
  • The water pump draws the cooled coolant from the radiator and pumps it through the engine.
  • The thermostat controls the flow of coolant to achieve the minimum operating temperature of the engine.

1. RADIATOR: Cools off the anti-freeze/coolant mixture by allowing air passing through the tube/fin area to dissipate the heat generated by the engine.

2. WATER PUMP: Draws the cooled anti-freeze from the radiator and pumps it through the engine block, cylinder head(s), heater core and back to the radiator.

3. FREEZE PLUGS: Is actually a steel plug designed to seal holes in the engine block and cylinder head(s) created from the casting process. In freezing weather they may push out if there is not enough anti-freeze protection.

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4. HEAD GASKET /TIMING COVER GASKET: Seals the major parts of the engine. Prevents oil, anti-freeze and cylinder pressure from mixing together.

5. HEATER CORE: Provides heat to the interior of the car by using heat removed from the antifreeze and blown in by the blower motor. May cause steam, odor or actual dripping inside the car when it leaks.

6. THERMOSTAT: Controls the minimum operating temperature of the engine. The thermostat is closed when the engine is cold in order to speed warm-up and opens when normal operating temperature is reached to allow the anti-freeze/coolant to pass through the radiator.

7. HOSES (Radiator, Heater, By-pass):Connect the other main components of the cooling system. Hose manufacturers recommend replacing every 4 years regardless of appearance because there may be deterioration of the inside of the hose which cannot be seen.

8. FAN CLUTCH: Senses the temperature of the air coming through the radiator and either slips or binds up to pull the required amount of air through the radiator.

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9. ELECTRIC COOLING FAN: Most front wheel drive cars use this because of the transverse mounted engine. It is turned on by a system of sensors and relays when the engine reaches about 230 F and stays on until R is cooled to about 200 F.

, Main Components of Your Cooling System

Getting New Cooling System Parts for Your Ride

The importance of your vehicle’s cooling system can’t be understated. If a single part gets damaged, then the entire system goes haywire. It won’t be long before your engine overheats and starts failing too. Luckily, you don’t have to let it get that far. You can order brand-new cooling system parts at CarParts.com today.

CarParts.com offers a wide selection of aftermarket parts for the cooling system, including radiators, water pumps, and more. We source our products from only the most trusted manufacturers in the industry, so you can rest assured we’re only selling the best of the best. Not only do we promise fast shipping, we also offer a lifetime replacement guarantee just in case your ordered part suddenly fails.

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Don’t wait until your entire cooling system fails before replacing defective parts. Check out our catalog of high-quality head gaskets, heater cores, radiators, water pumps, and freeze plugs at CarParts.com and order today!

About The Author
Written By Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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Cleo Johnson

Very good information thank y’all

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