Cooling

Water pump housing

The water pump housing is attached to the engine block and encloses the water pump. The water pump housing is attached with a gasket and sealing washers to prevent coolant leakage. When the water pump housing is removed, the gasket must always be replaced. Separate gaskets and sealing washers for this can be found in our product categories "Gaskets" and “Sealing Washers".

Water pump

The water pump or coolant pump is used to pump coolant through the engine block. This water pump ensures that the coolant flows through the engine block, cooling channels, radiator and heater. The water pump is driven by the timing belt or by a v-ribbed belt and thus rotates with the engine speed. In some modern cars there are electrically driven water pumps that run entirely on the basis of variables controlled by the engine control unit (ECU).

Over time, water pumps may fail due to factors such as wear and tear and old coolant, which offers reduced lubrication. Also, old water pumps can leak because the (rubber) seals and sealing washers are leaking. As a result, it is also important that these are always replaced along with the water pump.

Expansion vessel for coolant

Every vehicle that is liquid-cooled has an expansion tank for the refrigerant/coolant. As the temperature of the coolant increases, the pressure increases as the hot fluid expands. This expansion vessel provides the necessary space for this process. In some cars there is an external expansion tank and in other cars the expansion tank is attached to the radiator. These expansion vessels are always made of plastic and can tear over time, causing them to leak. When replacing such an expansion vessel, make sure that any sealing washers are also replaced to prevent future leakage. These can be found in our product category “Sealing Washers". If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Radiator

The task of the radiator is to release the heat from the coolant to the outside air in order to cool the engine. This is usually found behind the front bumper and the grille so that as much air as possible is allowed to pass. The radiator is made of thin aluminium in order to quickly absorb and release heat. On the radiator there are also many small slats to transfer even more heat.

Over time, the aluminium used for the radiator will decay and may leak. Also, the radiator is made of thin aluminium and therefore very vulnerable to stone chippings and similar. A defective (blocked or leaking) radiator must always be replaced and cannot be repaired. When replacing the radiator, it is advisable to check the condition of the cooling hoses and, if necessary, replace them; you will find them in our product category "Hoses". If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Coolant pipes

Here you will find the right (hard) pipes for your vehicle's cooling system. These are usually plastic or aluminium pipes which are attached between the flexible cooling hoses. When replacing one of these lines it is recommended to replace the gaskets and sealing washers to prevent coolant leakage. These can be found in our product categories "Gaskets" and “Sealing Washers".

Fan wheel

Depending on the type, the fan wheel is mounted in front of or behind the radiator to provide additional cooling. For example, it will intervene when there is insufficient driving wind, such as slow-moving traffic and/or high outside temperatures. The fan wheel is attached to a viscous unit or to an electrically controlled element in order to be able to switch it on and off. Here you will find the right fan wheel for your vehicle. If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Viscous coupling unit

The viscous coupling unit is mounted in the middle of the fan wheel. The viscous coupling unit is filled from the inside with an organic liquid which couples at high temperatures. This causes the clutch to grip and the viscous coupling unit’s fan to turn with the engine speed. When the temperature is cooler, this viscous coupling unit disengages and the fan wheel turns freely, so no additional cooling is generated. This fan or viscous coupling unit cannot be repaired when it is defective and must therefore be replaced in its entirety.

It is also important that this fan is stored correctly, otherwise it can break down very quickly. If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Water pump shaft bearing

The bearing of the water pump shaft ensures that the water pump can run smoothly and with as little resistance as possible. When this bearing is worn out, abnormal noises can occur and the operation of the water pump and thus the rest of the cooling system will deteriorate. Here you will find the right bearing for your vehicle’s water pump shaft. The advice is to make a proper diagnosis of a defective bearing in order to determine the cause. It is possible, for example, that the bearing has worn out (prematurely) due to an incorrect belt tension or a defective tensioner pulley. If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Thermostat

The thermostat controls the coolant circulation in the cooling system and thus regulates the temperature. There are electrically controlled thermostats and mechanically controlled thermostats whereby a bi-metallic strip expands at a certain temperature and thus initiates the flow of the coolant.

When the engine is cold, the thermostat is closed. This ensures that the engine heats up as quickly as possible to reduce wear and tear and emissions, as the engine runs more efficiently when it is at operating temperature. When the thermostat (partially) opens, the coolant flows in through the upper radiator connection. Then the radiator cools the coolant, which exits the radiator at the lower connection and returns to the engine.

A defective thermostat will remain open in most cases, causing the engine to cool down too much, which will increase fuel consumption, in addition to other consequences. A defective thermostat must always be replaced and cannot be repaired. When replacing the thermostat, think of new gaskets and sealing washers too; these can be found in the product categories "Gaskets" and “Sealing Washers". If you have any questions or would like advice, please contact our product specialists. They will be happy to assist you.

Thermostat housing

The thermostat housing is the casing for the thermostat. Thermostat housing is not usually a part that wears, but when made of plastic the thermostat housing will leak over time as a result of the many temperature changes. When replacing or disassembling the thermostat housing, always fit a new gasket and/or sealing washer to prevent coolant leakage.

A selection from the cooling range:

Thermostat adapter
Expansion vessel sealing plug
Coolant sealing plug
Radiator hose
Water pump repair kit
Water pump shaft gear
Thermal contacts
Filling block cooling system
Radiator fan pulley