Cooling system check and diagnostics
Cooling system check
Here you will find useful basic information and tips relating to faults in the vehicle cooling system, e.g. engine overheating, engine not warming up, or heating not warm enough.
In most cases, irregularities in engine temperature or an insufficient heating output can be attributed to faults in the cooling system. Based on the respective symptoms, on this page we will show you which test steps to take in order to quickly identify the fault source.
Important safety note
The following technical information and practical tips have been compiled by HELLA in order to provide professional support to vehicle workshops in their day-to-day work. The information provided on this website is intended for use by suitably qualified personnel only.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COOLING SYSTEM CHECK AND DIAGNOSTICS: BASIC PRINCIPLES
In the event of faults in the cooling system, for example insufficient heating output, engine not reaching operating temperature, or overheating, it is possible to track down the fault cause using simple means. First of all, the cooling system should be checked for a sufficient coolant level, contaminants, antifreeze, and leaks. The V-belt or V-ribbed belt should also have sufficient tension.
Depending on the symptoms, troubleshooting can then be continued by monitoring components or recording temperatures as follows: