Function of Reservoir Tank & How It Works in Car Cooling System
The reservoir tank is a component in the car cooling system that has a vital function within that system. This component is often referred to as the radiator water reserve tank. For those of you who want to know more about the function of this component and how it works, please pay attention to the following review.
Function of the Reservoir Tank
The reservoir tank is a small tank embedded in the car cooling system and has an important function in optimizing the function of that system. The reservoir tank itself is usually made of certain plastic or metal materials designed according to the specifications of the car.
The reservoir tank is usually located near the radiator so that if there is a problem with this component, car owners can more easily perform inspections. Most reservoir tanks are usually equipped with special sensors to read information about the coolant level in the reservoir tank. This cooling system component in cars has a quite vital function. Its functions are as follows.
1. Acts as a container for coolant
The reservoir tank has the main function of acting as a container for coolant coming from the radiator. Then the volume of coolant will be compensated by the reservoir during the engine cooling process. When there is a temperature change, the volume of coolant will automatically change. In this condition, the coolant will be temporarily stored by the reservoir tank.
Meanwhile, when the car engine is cold, the coolant will be at a certain level in the reservoir tank. When the car engine is started and will operate, the coolant will automatically overflow, so the overflow (excess) coolant will be channeled into the reservoir tank. Conversely, when the car engine starts to cool down, the volume of coolant will automatically shrink and take the remaining coolant from the reservoir tank.
2. A place to check the condition of radiator water
The reservoir tank also functions as a place to check the condition of coolant or radiator water. This is because there are minimum and maximum level indicators inside the reservoir tank.
3. Separating and cooling the coolant
In addition to being a container, the reservoir tank also functions to separate and cool the coolant. This function is useful for lowering the temperature of the hot coolant back to its original temperature (cold) before the coolant is returned to the cooling system. This function can be realized because the reservoir tank has various features, elements, or additional cooling channels.
4. A line of defense against the risk of overheating
The reservoir functions to increase the efficiency of the cooling system's performance so that the car engine is free from the risk of overheating.
5. Preventing leaks in the radiator area
As you know, the reservoir tank can withstand high pressure, so this component can prevent leaks in hoses, radiators, or other components.
6. Air reservoir
The reservoir tank can also function as an air reservoir. This is because this component can capture air in the coolant, then collect and release it.
How the Reservoir Tank Works
After knowing the vital functions of the reservoir tank, you need to understand how this component works. The working mechanism is as follows.
When the car engine is hot, the coolant will absorb the heat from the engine. In this condition, the engine block will release the coolant, then replace it with new coolant from the radiator. During this process, air expansion occurs due to the increase in temperature, causing the volume of coolant to rise.
In this condition, the overflow of hot coolant will be temporarily stored by the reservoir tank. When the air temperature in the radiator has cooled down again, the coolant in the reservoir tank will be channeled back into the engine cooling system.
Considering its very vital function, you need to check the reservoir tank regularly and periodically. If there are any problems, immediately service it at a Daihatsu official workshop.
