Automotive Cooling System Maintenance and Repair
What Our ASE Certified Technicians Do
Cooling system maintenance is important for the longevity of the car for many reasons. As the coolant in the car gets older, the freeze point lowers with age. With severe Minnesota weather, it's important not to loose the lower freeze a point. As we all know, water expands when it freezes, but when it expands in the radiator or engine block, this may create a crack or a leak in the cooling system. In the summer time, we need the ethlene glycol, or radiator coolant, to raise the boiling point of the colling system. This ensures that when we turn on our AC in rush hour traffic, our automotive cooling system can eliminate the heat. Performing cooling system maintenance restores or replaces the rust inhibitors and brings the PH to proper levels. Without the proper PH, rust and corrosion can occur internally. There is many more reasons to perform cooling system maintenance and I am not about to bore you with the nitty gritty. Listing the most important reasons should be good enough.
The following components are inspected. Recommendations are made per the Motorist Assurance Program Uniform Inspection Guidelines:
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
Visual Inspection
- Interior controls and blower
- Radiator coolant level, hoses, pressure cap and thermostat
- The A/C compressor belt for condition and tension
- Leaks or other damage
- Component condition, leaks or damage
- Blockage of the Front Radiator or Reduced Air Flow
Heating and Air Conditioning Tests
- Pressure test engine cooling system
- A/C system pressures are measured and compared to manufacturer's specifications
- A/C system is leak tested
- Both the heater and A/C are performance tested by checking the outlet air temperature at the discharge vents
- Freeze point of Engine Coolant
- Vent Discharge Temperature
