Aftermarket July/August 2022 Issue

connection, if applicable, and make sure the oil circuit is not over-pressured.” Jan added: “Always handle the replacement radiator with proper care. It is fragile and elements such as its mounting brackets, inlet/outlet and drain plugs, which often stick out, can easily get broken in transport or during the installation process.” For more information, visit: www.nissens.com Thermostat problems and solutions Thermostats can be the source of cooling issues in a number of models, as Dayco UK’s National Sales Manager Steve Carolan observed: “Although generally reliable, AASA 2020 report data showed that over a five-year period from 2014, the average thermostat failure rate steadily increased to almost 5%. At the same time, the percentage of vehicles fitted with integrated thermostat housings and MAP thermostats, rather than a traditional thermostat design, grew from 55% to 80%. “The 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines used in the second generation R56/57 Mini feature a thermostat housing that is prone to be the source of leaks in the coolant system. These problems are generally caused by either excessive heat from the exhaust manifold or oil contamination. It also not uncommon for the thermostat valve to stick, which can result in overheating. “Integrated housings like this are complex products and this directly affects their predicted service life and crucially, their cost, which is why they should not be considered an ‘anything will do’ product as the quality will directly affect both their ability to operate within the VM’s strict performance parameters and their expected service life, so OE quality must be the benchmark. “Dayco’s extensive technological know-how and drive to ensure its products deliver to the highest levels of performance means that a combination of precision couplings and quality materials has enabled the company to supply a comprehensive range of thermostats that are of OE standard in their quality, safety, efficiency and durability.” For more information, visit: www.dayco.com Tricky situation Mike Schlup, MD at K-Seal International, commented: “Regular maintenance of the cooling system is essential to maintain optimal cooling function and to protect and extend component life. Skipping this will result in higher bills for the motorist as components fail prematurely or become damaged due to a poorly functioning cooling system. For example, a drop in the coolant level can cause overheating which can lead to head gasket damage or worse still, total engine failure if the motorist ignores the warning signs.” Mike continued: “The current economic situation is forcing motorists to make some tough decisions about how to spend their hard- earned money. Costs are increasing across all areas, not least motoring, and it’s tempting to skip a routine service or ignore warning lights to save money. This will lead to more problems, including with the cooling system, resulting in cooling system failures. This could be a radiator leak, a head gasket failure or even a damaged head or engine block. The cost of repairing these problems is often greater than the cost of preventative maintenance. Motorists are in a tricky situation. They need to get their car back on the road but simply can’t afford the repairs, or the vehicle just isn’t worth the cost of a full repair if it’s nearing the end of its life. That said, they can’t give up on it if it can still deliver a few more years of driving. “It's in these situations that a product such as K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair will save the day. A quality coolant leak repair product which K-Seal is, will quickly and safely repair a fault and get the motorist back on the road, at least until such time as they can afford a full mechanical repair or a new vehicle.” Long-lasting repair Mike added: “Having said that, K-Seal is designed to make a long-lasting repair that will keep the motorist on the road for years if necessary. With over ten million sales worldwide, we have many testimonials from motorists telling us their car is still running nicely on a repair made with K-Seal several years after using it. So, when selecting a coolant leak repair product, mechanics and motorists must do their homework. K-Seal is specifically engineered to seal leaks up to a maximum of 0.6mm in size but to flow through anything larger as prescribed by the ASTM D3147 standard. Independent testing at Brighton University Engineering Division ensures that K-Seal meets this 38 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2022 COOLING Right and below: New INA TMMs for BMW and MINI engine www.aftermarketonline.net Thermal management systems play a central role in improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions ”