Function of Water Jacket, Components, and Causes of Its Damage

The water jacket is a space inside the car engine that serves as a reservoir for the engine coolant that circulates within the car engine. Therefore, the function of the water jacket is quite crucial in cars as it plays a role in reducing the engine's heat temperature.

As is known, the water jacket is one of the components of the car's cooling system. If this system has problems, it will experience issues such as engine overheating. Below, we will discuss in detail the functions, components, and causes of water jacket damage in cars. Here is the complete review.

Function of the Water Jacket

What is the function of the water jacket in the cooling system? Here are the functions of the water jacket:

As a reservoir for water in the engine cooling system.
As a pathway for air circulation in the engine.
As a heat absorber in the engine. When the coolant flows with hot temperatures towards the water jacket, the coolant is automatically stored first by the water jacket. It is then channeled to the thermostat and radiator for the cooling process of the coolant. Once the water is cool, it is channeled back to the water jacket to absorb the engine's heat.

Components of the Water Jacket

Many may wonder, where is the water jacket located? So, the water jacket is located around the engine cylinder liner. Inside the engine, this component is located in two parts, namely the cylinder head and the cylinder block. In this part, the water jacket appears as a room in some areas and looks like holes in others.

Here are other components within the cooling system that assist the function of the water jacket:

Radiator
Radiator fan motor
Radiator fan
Radiator hose
Bypass hose
Thermostat
Water pipe
Belt
Water pump
Engine coolant temperature sensor
Temperature gauge

Causes of Water Jacket Damage

Here are some factors that can cause the water jacket to be damaged.

1. Using Coolant Not According to Specifications

When filling the coolant, the water used should be special water and not regular water. Incorrect use of coolant can cause the water jacket to corrode or rust. This happens because the water jacket is made of metal material.

Therefore, you must always pay attention to using coolant that meets specifications so that the water jacket does not corrode. Use coolant from reputable manufacturers as your best coolant.

Make sure you do not frequently change coolants to keep the water jacket durable. If from the beginning of using the car's coolant you used regular water, you should not replace it with coolant. This will actually create new problems.

2. Presence of Dirt Blockages

Another cause of water jacket damage is due to blockages of dirt in the water jacket channels. This occurs because dirt gets mixed in and settles during the coolant filling process.

Dirt that is left unattended will gradually settle and block the circulation of coolant and the water jacket channels. These dirt deposits can also cause rust that can make the water jacket corrode.

Therefore, you need to perform a cleaning process by spraying high-pressure air using a compressor.

These are some factors that can cause the water jacket to become damaged. To ensure the water jacket functions optimally, you need to routinely check the components of the car's cooling system. This serves as a preventive measure against overheating in the car.