Want to learn more about your car's cooling system?

Read our short guide with information on symptoms and more.

Want to learn how we can help fix your car's cooling system?

ClickMechanic offers inspections, repairs, and replacements to solve problems with your car's cooling system.

What does the cooling system in a car do?

The cooling system is designed to maintain a certain temperature in your vehicle. Running hot will eventually start to warp the metals inside your engine, which is an expensive repair. Running cold will reduce the efficiency of your engine and other components that work best in high heat conditions, such as the catalytic converter.

What are the parts and components of the cooling systems?

Coolant A mix of distilled water and coolant. The water provides cooling while the coolant protects from corrosion and lubricates the system. Thermostat The thermostat controls the flow of coolant by identifying how hot the engine is running. Water Pump The water pump pushes coolant through the system. It is driven by the timing chain, belt, or can have its own electric motor. Radiator The radiator dissipates heat to the surrounding air from the coolant. The many fins increase the surface area to maximise the cooling properties of the radiator. Radiator fan The radiator fan pushes the coolant through the radiator. This is usually activated at low speeds where the coolant has lower momentum. Cooling pressure cap The cooling pressure cap holds pressure inside the cooling system. This prevents the coolant from boiling until much higher temperatures. This means the system can be more efficient.

How do you know there is something wrong with the cooling system?

When you can see smoke coming from your engine When you smell the vapour of the coolant fluid When you hear cranking sounds When you feel the engine heating up When the check engine light comes on

What are common problems with the engine cooling system?

Here are the common problems with a cooling system: ••Low coolant** A leak in the system will drip away reserves of coolant. Less coolant means the cooling system will be working harder and the engine will eventually overheat. * Failed thermostat A faulty thermostat will block the flow of coolant to your engine. The lack of coolant will suddenly overheat your engine. Worn Water pump A worn water pump or an issue with the motor system will mean the coolant isn’t properly flowing through the engine. Your pump will be less efficient or broken altogether which will lead to your engine overheating. Clogged radiator A radiator can become clogged by poor quality coolant, which doesn’t lubricate the system properly. It will mean there is less coolant and that coolant will have a harder time getting through the system. It will have a gradual noticeable effect on your MPG but otherwise, be hard to diagnose. Faulty radiator fan A faulty radiator fan means that air can’t flow along the fins of a radiator, taking heat away from the coolant as it passes through the radiator. This means that both the air and coolant become increasingly hot. Fault cooling system pressure cap A broken pressure cap will not retain the pressure on the entire cooling system. This means that steam can vent out and will rapidly reduce the efficiency of the cooling system leading to an engine overheat.

How much does a Cooling System inspection, repair & replacement cost?

You can expect a car transmission inspection to cost around £80 depending on the location of the car. Depending on what repairs or replacements are needed after the cooling system inspection is carried out, the additional cost will differ in each case. To get an exact price for a specific transmission repair (like a thermostat replacement), enter your vehicle registration number along with your postcode above to get an instant price.

Cooling System Inspection & Repair

Hedges Mobile Servicing & Repairs Ltd

Rating: 5.0 out of 5

34 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Banbury, 5 years of experience

Self employed mechanic since 2019, VW Audi group specialist

“Sam was brilliant!
Very professional and polite.
He arrived well in time and got to work straight away. He was also very helpful with any questions I had. A massive thank you from my part.”

PHILIP • 19th April 2024

Skoda Octavia • Water pump replacement

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Want to learn more about your car's cooling system?

Want to learn how we can help fix your car's cooling system?

What does the cooling system in a car do?

What are the parts and components of the cooling systems?

How do you know there is something wrong with the cooling system?

What are common problems with the engine cooling system?

How much does a Cooling System inspection, repair & replacement cost?

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