The cooling system of your Volkswagen car is an prominent part in order to keep your car operating efficiently. The cooling system maintains the right temperature of your motor through the circulation of coolant through the motor that picks up heat and passing it through the radiator where it is cooled with air. The coolant in turn passes through a thermostat valve to control flow and through a temperature sensor which controls external air cooling fans.
Volkswagen car cooling systems are comprised of three main parts and these are the Vw water pump, Vw hoses and Vw thermostat, radiator and sensors.
Volkswagen Water Pump
The Vw water pump handles the Vw's cooling system's pumping function which keeps the coolant aggregate moving. The basic Vw water pump is gear or belt-driven there are also some cases in other cars wherein a secondary electric water pump is used to improved cooling and flow of the coolant mixture. One of the most prominent parts of the pump's performance is the drive belt which is also known on most new cars as the timing belt. However, on older car models, the pump and the belt are external and run off the main crankshaft pulley using a "V" of flat belt.
The maintenance of Vw water pump is done simultaneous with the replacement of the coolant, the drive belt and tension adjustment (external type). The timing belt driven pumps should all the time be done when replacing the timing belt and tensioner.
Volkswagen Hoses
The Vw cooling system involves varied hoses which includes the Volkswagen radiator hose, control valves, the heater core and the expansion tank. And since these materials are permanently used and are exposed to heated coolant, these parts deteriorate categorically and needs to be change more often.
The maintenance of cooling system piping consists of scheduled replacement of all hoses, replacement of coolant plus the replacement of any unplugged or leaking parts. It is a good idea to have all hoses checked at least twice a year to see whether there are abrasions, flexibility, cracks, and leakage. And of course it is vital that whenever coolant is flushed for replacement or even while motor repairs that hoses should be replaced. Radiator hoses, expansion tanks, heater cores, and control valves are ordinarily replaced due to leakage or plugging. Any way it is prominent that a Vw pro should be the one contacted to compare the health of these parts since they know all things there is to know about Volkswagen components.
Volkswagen Radiator, Thermostat and Sensors
Volkswagen's cooling system's temperature controls include all coolant temperature sensors, radiator or expansion tank cap, thermostat, cooling fan(s) and fan clutch. These cooling parts function independently of the motor but pronounce the control over the motor cooling which is made by means of sending control signals to the Vw's electronic systems.
The spring loaded valve that opens and closes based on the temperature of the coolant flowing through it is called the thermostat. You can tell that something is wrong with your thermostat when you see a high temperature reading is followed by a drop to general temperature or a continuously low temperature---this normally indicates a sticking thermostat. Unfortunately, there are other conditions that caused these symptoms and if you are not sure what causing it then great have a Vw pro mechanic to check it.
The radiator or expansion tank cap is similarly a spring loaded valve that reacts to system pressure. Its function is to pronounce permissible system coolant level at predetermined pressures. It should all the time be replaced with an exact replacement cap with the same pressure setting to get optimum function.
A belt-driven fan blade that pulls air through the radiator is normally included on the water pump pulley with a fan clutch to control it. The fan clutch functioned by allowing the fan to turn with the belt at low motor speed and shift to "free-wheel" at higher speeds. A damage fan clutch should not be taken for granted since it may cause your car to overheat.
An electric fan that can function by itself or with an auxiliary mechanical fan is normally equipped for front-wheel-drive Volkswagen. These two types of fans are controlled via a temperature sensor that is found on the radiator specifically on the upper radiator hose or on the thermostat or water pump housing. This sensor is normally an on/off type switch with a fixed temperature setting.
The other coarse temperature sensors that are found on Volkswagen vehicles include: gauge sender, warning light sender, lambda and/or fuel injection sensor/s and the thermo-time switch. Controlling the motor temperature is critical to get high performance and emission control. But unfortunately it is also the system that is one of the most difficult to fix getting a Vw pro is very advised.
On the other hand maintenance of your cooling system sensors is a no sweat task since there is nothing to pronounce in the first place, all you have to do is to keep them clean internally and externally. Likewise, checking and replacing all parts at the set factory-recommended time or mileage limit also help to pronounce the good running health of your Vw car.
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