Cooling System Description And Operation; General Description; Cooling Cycle - Chevrolet Corvette 2001 Owner's Manual

2001 Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Kit
Cooling System Description and Operation
General Description
The cooling system consists of the following major components:
• The radiator
•
The radiator surge tank
•
The cooling fans
•
The thermostat
•
The water pump
•
The coolant air bleed pipe
•
The heater pipe assembly
•
The ECT sensor
•
The transmission oil cooler
•
All related coolant hoses
•
The fan shroud
•
The fan motor/blade
•
Coolant Heater (optional)
The cooling system functions to maintain an efficient engine temperature during all engine operating
conditions. The thermostat remains closed until the engine reaches the proper operating temperatures.
When the engine is cold, the coolant does not circulate through the radiator, allowing the engine to warm
up faster. When the engine reaches the normal operating temperatures, the thermostat opens and the
coolant begins to circulate through the radiator in order to keep the engine from overheating.
The water pump draws the coolant from the radiator. The coolant is then circulated through the cooling
jackets in the following components, then back to the radiator to be cooled:
• The cylinder heads
• The engine block
• The throttle body
The engine coolant is drawn from the water pump and circulated through internal passages in the cylinder
heads and engine block. Vapor is vented off through the coolant air bleed pipe. The heated coolant is
then directed back to the radiator. A separate coolant flow loop is available from the coolant pump to the
heater core and back to the coolant pump to provide passenger compartment heat and defrost.
The radiator surge tank provides a coolant fill point and a central cooling system air bleed location. The
tank is translucent on the lower half for coolant level viewing.
Cooling Cycle
Coolant flows from the radiator outlet and into the water pump inlet. Some coolant flows from the water
pump, to the heater core, then back to the water pump. This provides the passenger compartment with
heat and defrost capability as the coolant warms up.
Coolant also flows from the water pump outlet and into the engine block. In the engine block, the coolant
circulates through the water jackets surrounding the cylinders where it absorbs heat.
The coolant then flows through the cylinder head gasket openings and into the cylinder heads. In the
cylinder heads, the coolant flows through the water jackets surrounding the combustion chambers and
valve seats, where it absorbs additional heat.
From the cylinder heads, the coolant flows to the thermostat. The flow of coolant will either be stopped at
the thermostat until the engine reaches normal operating temperature, or it will flow through the
thermostat and into the radiator where it is cooled. At this point, the coolant flow cycle is completed.
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