Engine Coolant Flow Diagram - HOT market vehicles
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1 | Heater core |
| 2 | Bleed screw |
| 3 | Cylinder head - Bank 1 |
| 4 | Cylinder block |
| 5 | Throttle body |
| 6 | Engine oil cooler |
| 7 | Heater manifold |
| 8 | Cylinder head - Bank 2 |
| 9 | Coolant expansion tank |
| 10 | Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) cooler |
| 11 | Electric thermostat |
| 12 | Check valve |
| 13 | Coolant pump |
| 14 | Radiator |
| 15 | Auxiliary radiator |
| 16 | Connection with supercharger cooling system |
When the engine is running, the coolant is circulated around the engine cooling system by the coolant pump. From the coolant pump, coolant flows through the cylinder heads and the engine oil cooler into the cylinder block and the heater manifold.
In the cylinder block, the coolant flows forwards to the outlet tube. When the coolant is cold, the thermostat is closed and the coolant flows direct from the outlet tube back to the coolant pump. Once the coolant reaches operating temperature the thermostat begins to open, to control system temperature, and coolant flows from the outlet tube to the coolant pump via the radiator and, where fitted, the auxiliary radiator. When the thermostat is open, the coolant flow through the radiator(s) and also generates a coolant flow through the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) cooler.
From the heater manifold the coolant flows through the throttle body and the heater core, in parallel circuits that are unaffected by the position of the thermostat. From the throttle body, the coolant merges with bleed coolant from the coolant pump and the outlet tube and flows to the expansion tank. From the heater core, the coolant flows back to the inlet of the coolant pump.
Expansion and contraction of the coolant is accommodated by an air space in the expansion tank and the compliance of the flexible hoses.
If the coolant level in the expansion tank decreases below a predetermined value, the level sensor connects a ground to the IC (Instrument Cluster), which activates the appropriate warning.
Refer to: Information and Message Center (Description and Operation).
The electric cooling fan is operated by the fan control module, integrated into the cooling fan motor. The fan control module regulates the voltage, and thus speed, of the cooling fan motor in response to a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal from the ECM (Engine Control Module).
The ECM (Engine Control Module) calculates the required fan speed from the engine temperature, A/C (Air Conditioning) system pressure and ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) temperature. Under hot operating conditions, the fan may continue to operate for 5 minutes after the engine has been switched off.
The supercharger cooling system also uses the engine cooling system for charge air cooling.
Refer to: Supercharger Cooling (V6 S/C 3.0L Petrol, Description and Operation).