Summer Heat vs. Cooling System: Coolers and Fans at the Service of Savings

Summer heat is a time when the cooling system of a car engine is particularly vulnerable to overload. High air temperatures that flow around the radiator significantly reduce its ability to effectively dissipate heat. As a result, the so-called "temperature reserve" of the engine decreases, which can lead to overheating, loss of power, and even serious damage to the drive unit. Fortunately, there is a solution that allows you to keep the cooling system in excellent condition, while reducing costs and environmental impact - original used radiators and fans, available as certified OEM parts. In this article, we will look at how heat affects the cooling system, what are the physical basis of heat exchange, what are the consequences of overheating, and why original used parts are an excellent choice for workshops and drivers.

How do high summer temperatures affect the engine cooling system?

The cooling system of a combustion engine is designed to maintain the optimum operating temperature of the engine, usually around 90–95 °C. However, its effectiveness depends largely on the ambient conditions, especially the temperature of the air that flows through the radiator. High outside air temperature actually shortens the so-called "temperature reserve" of the engine. This means that the temperature difference between the hot coolant and the environment (marked as ΔT) is smaller, which reduces the system's ability to release heat. For example, when the air temperature is 15 °C and the coolant is around 95 °C, the ΔT difference is around 80 K. However, in hot weather, when the ambient temperature reaches 35 °C, ΔT drops to 60 K. This change translates into a decrease in cooling efficiency by up to 25%. In addition, if the cooling system is contaminated, for example by scale deposits or dust, or if the fan is not working properly, the risk of overheating increases very quickly. In such situations, the electronic engine control unit (ECU) often responds by reducing power to protect the drive unit from damage.

Fan – a key element of cooling in traffic jams and at low speeds

When driving at high speeds, air naturally flows through the radiator, effectively removing heat. However, in traffic jams or when stationary, when the vehicle speed is low or zero, natural air flow is minimal. In such conditions, the only source of cooling is the radiator fan . Fan failure can have very rapid and serious consequences – the coolant temperature can rise by as much as 15°C within a few minutes of standing. Therefore, the condition of the fan is crucial for engine safety, especially in hot weather. Fans equipped with a thermostatic clutch are designed to minimize power loss on a cold engine. The fan impeller is fully engaged only after a certain temperature has been exceeded, ensuring optimal operation and fuel savings.

Practical effects of engine overheating

Engine overheating is not only an inconvenience, but a real threat to its durability and performance. Here are the most important consequences:

• Detonation and ignition corrections Hot air in the intake promotes knocking combustion, which is harmful to the engine. To prevent this, the engine control unit forces a retardation of the ignition angle, which reduces the power and efficiency of the drive unit.
• Oil Film Disappearance As oil temperature increases, its viscosity decreases, which causes faster wear of bearings and other engine components, increasing the risk of failure.
• Higher emissions and fuel consumption In order to protect the valves and catalytic converter, the controller enriches the fuel mixture, which leads to higher fuel consumption and increased exhaust emissions.

Original used coolers and fans - economy and ecology

In the face of rising spare parts prices and growing environmental awareness, original used radiators and fans are becoming an increasingly popular choice. They are available as certified OEM parts, which, after full quality verification, offer almost the same performance as new components, at a much lower cost. This allows workshops and drivers to significantly reduce their cooling system service costs, while taking care of the environment.

Global Parts Offer – Certified OEM Parts

The Global Parts automotive store offers a wide selection of original used radiators and fans for popular car brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW and Mini. All parts are original OEM components that have undergone full quality verification.

Examples of parts available in the offer:

| Mark | Part type | Model / Catalog Number (P/N) | |---|---|---| | BMW | Cooler | E81/E87/E90 – P/N 7559273 | || Fan | X3 E83 600W - P/N 3442089 | || Cooler | F20/F30 N47N – P/N 7600532 | | Mercedes | Cooler | W204 OM651 – P/N A2045003603 | || Cooler | W213 OM654 – P/N A6540904101 | | Audi | Cooler | A4 B8 – P/N 8K0121251R, 8K0121207A | || Cooler | A6 C6 3.0 TDI – P/N 4F0145806AA | | VW | Cooler | A3 8V – P/N 5Q0121203G | || Cooler | A4 B8 2.0 TDI – P/N 8K0145805P | *The intercooler indirectly affects the engine temperature by relieving the cooling system at high boost.

Service recommendations for workshops

To ensure long and trouble-free operation of the cooling system, workshops should follow a few basic rules:

• Regular visual inspection Check the radiator fins for corrosion, damage and leaks. Even minor damage can significantly reduce cooling efficiency.
• Flushing the cooling system every 2 years Scale deposits and other contaminants can reduce the thermal conductivity of the radiator by up to 10%, so regular flushing is essential.
• Fan Performance Test Measuring current draw and fan speed under load helps detect faults and prevent overheating.
• Selecting the correct coolant and cap pressure Correct system pressure increases the boiling point of the fluid to approximately 125 °C, improving safety and cooling efficiency.

Take care of your car's cooling system

Summer heat is a serious challenge for the engine cooling system. High air temperatures reduce cooling efficiency, which increases the risk of overheating and serious damage. Genuine used radiators and fans, available from Global Parts as certified OEM parts, allow you to restore full cooling system efficiency, while reducing service costs by up to 70% and reducing CO₂ emissions by 60-80%. Mechanics who consciously choose fully verified, used car parts gain a competitive advantage by offering customers reliable and economical solutions. Thanks to this, both workshops and drivers can enjoy safe and efficient engine operation even on the hottest days.