Cooling 44 www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2024 Keeping a cool head Mike Schlup, MD of Kalimex, the makers of K-Seal multi-purpose coolant leak repair, highlights the crucial role of cooling systems for the reliable and efficient operation of internal combustion engines If anything goes wrong and is not remedied at the earliest opportunity then more serious and permanent damage can quickly occur, not just within the cooling system but in the engine as a whole. And in the current economic climate many motorists can ill afford a new radiator or even worse, a head gasket replacement. As the average age of vehicles in the UK car parc continues to increase, it is more important than ever to include cooling system maintenance as a regular part of the service programme. Inevitably many motorists will choose to skip this and will only head to their local mechanic once they have a problem. A simple radiator leak can lead to low coolant levels which will impact the ability of the system to regulate engine temperatures. A water pump or thermostat issue can restrict coolant flow rates, which can lead to the engine overheating. Ignore this and the risk is ultimately head gasket failure or a cracked engine block or head, and eventually terminal engine failure. Cooling system issues and the accompanying engine problems are most likely to be seen in older vehicles, and often the cost of a mechanical repair is greater than the value of the vehicle itself. It’s at this stage that both the workshop and the motorist should consider a coolant leak repair additive that would enable the motorist to get back on the road — at least until they can afford to upgrade the vehicle. There is an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of coolant leak repair additives and the perceived risks that come with using them. It is true that the old school products had a reputation for either blocking the cooling system or curdling the antifreeze (when you mix sodium silicate with ethylene glycol). But there are modern alternatives that are not only safe to use but will also make long lasting repairs rather than the old ‘justget-you-home’ mixtures. Products that have been independently tested to the international coolant leak repair standard ASTM D3147 are a good place to start. The standard ensures that compliant products will seal leaks where they are meant to (holes up to 0.65mm) but will safely flow through even the smallest waterways within the cooling system (0.85mm). Further tests should also show that the stop leak formula does not react with antifreeze, a fairly important point. K-Seal permanent coolant leak repair meets these standards as verified by independent tests. So, when you have a customer who needs to deal with a coolant leak urgently to get back on the road, then K-Seal is a product that you can trust. www.kseal.com K-Seal testing There is an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of coolant leak repair additives and the perceived risks
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