Engine Cooling System | Types: Air Or

Liquid Cooling System

During combustion in the engine, temperature in the cylinder rises up to 4,000*F. a large amount of this heat
is absorbed by the cylinder walls, cylinder head, pistons and valves due to which there is great rise in their
temperature. If this absorbed heat is not dissipated, the combustion chamber surfaces would become red hot,
the valves would burn and warp and the seizure of pistons in the cylinders, bearings on the fournals and
pins and scoring of cylinder walls.
In an I.C. engine, about 20% of the latent heat produced during combustion passes through the cylinder walls
into the cooling system. The cooling system is required to absorb and dissipate the excess heat conducted
to cylinder walls, cylinder head, pistons and valves etc. and thus to keep the engine temperatures within safe
limits.
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Cooling System Fitted in Car

Types of engine cooling systems :
There are two types of cooling systems applicable in automobile engines. These are as under:
(a) Air cooling system.
(b)Liquid or water cooling system.
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(a) Air Cooling System:
This type of cooling system is mostly employed in light engines contain fins or ribs on the outer surfaces of the
cylinders and cylinder heads. These fins provide more area for air contact resulting in better radiation of heat.
The heat produced by the combustion of fuel passes through the cylinder walls and cylinder head to the fins,
from where it is dissipated into the surrounding atmosphere.
The air cooled engine require the circulation of large volumes of air over and past the fins. In motor cycles,
flow of air is achieved by their forward motion. In case of cars, the air is achieved over the engine by a fan or
blower built into the engine flywheel.
A shroud or cowling often encloses the engine to control the flow of air over the engine. Baffles are provided
near the cylinders to deflect air through the fin area.

Cooling System Diagram
(b) Liquid or Water Cooling System:
In liquid or water cooling engines, heat from the cylinder is transferred to the liquid or water contained in the
jackets surrounding the cylinders, combustion chambers and valve ports etc. through the water or liquid, heat
is carried into the radiator where it is conducted to its fins for radiation to the passing air.
Forward motion of the vehicle and an engine driven fan accelerate the circulation of air over the radiating
surface.
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This system serves the following two purposes:-
(a) Cools the engine and serves it from overheating.
(b)Warms the engine to bring it to the working temperature for efficient and economical working.
Cooling is done by circulating water or liquid in the jackets around the hot spot of the engine, i.e., cylinders,
combustion chambers, exhaust valve sports.
In winter season, the temperature of the engine is raised to the working temperature through
athermostatically controlled cooling system. In this system, hot water is kept in circulation inside thewater
jackets.

The water in the jackets obtains heat from the cylinders due to conduction.
The hot water keeps the cylinders warm.The water is not allowed to flow into the radiator till it attains
140 f temperature at which the thermostat valve starts to open and provides passage for the flow of
water of water towards the radiator for cooling down.
Hence water cooling system warms the engine too, to bring it to the working temperature.
Water cooling system is of the Two types:-
o Thermosyphon system
o Pump circulation system.
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1. Thermosyphon system:
This system works on the principle that hot water being lighter, rises up and cold water being heavier, falls
down. It depends upon gravity to circulate water or liquid in the system. In this system radiator is kept above
the bottom level of water jacket. This system contains no pump to keep the circulation of water regular. When
water in the jackets becomes hot as a result of engine combustion, it expands and therefore becomes lighter.
o
Thermosyphon System
The hot water rises up and the cold water comes to take its place. The hot water flows to the radiator through
the upper connection where it is cooled down by the air passing through the cone. The cold water being
heavier, moves downwards to take the place of displaced hot water.
This way a circulation is set up due to which heat is carried away from the engine. Radiator and an engine
driven fan are two main parts on this system, which play an important part in keeping the engine cool.
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2.Pump circulation system.
The pump or forced circulation system very much resembles in construction with the thermosyphon system.
This system makes use of a centrifugal pump to circulate water.
In certain engines, water distributing tubes or nozzles are inserted in the cylinder block or head to direct the
coolest water towards the exhaust valve ports.
Main parts of Pump circulation system:-
o Radiator
o Radiator cap
o Overflow tank
o Fan
o Water pump
o Thermostat valve
o Temperature gauge or indicator.