Cooling System: Description and Operation

The cooling system, which consists of a radiator and coolant recovery subsystem, electric engine coolant fan, engine coolant thermostat, water pump and serpentine drive belt, works to keep the engine at its most efficient operating temperature at all engine speeds and all driving conditions. On this engine, coolant is drawn from the radiator by the water pump and circulated through coolant jackets in the cylinder block, and then through coolant jackets in the cylinder heads. It is then directed back to the radiator. The system directs some engine coolant through hoses to the heater core to provide defrost and passenger compartment heat. A coolant recovery reservoir is connected to the radiator to recover engine coolant displaced by expansion. As the engine cools, the engine coolant is drawn back into the radiator by vacuum.