Two things are generally true in the automotive world: cars are getting more reliable every year, and they're also becoming more complicated every year. In many ways, one follows the other. As vehicles become more sophisticated, manufacturers find ways to produce more durable and long-lasting parts. Modern sensors and computers also help to keep cars running at peak performance.
Unfortunately, more complexity often also means that it's more challenging and costly to fix problems when they do occur. However, not every part of your car is a highly complex piece of machinery. Below are three components that are still relatively simple to repair on many modern vehicles.
Thermostats have a shockingly simple job: regulate the flow of coolant between the radiator and the engine. Designs for this component vary a bit between manufacturers, and some are more complex than others. In most cases, the thermostat consists of a housing and a simple spring-loaded wax valve. Some vehicles also use electronic thermostats controlled by the car's computer.
Thermostat replacement remains a relatively straightforward job on most cars because the function of this component hasn't changed. Nearly all thermostats still have a single inlet and outlet hose connecting them to the rest of the cooling system and, at most, an electrical connector. While labor costs may vary based on the difficulty of reaching the thermostat, the core job is the same as ever.
2. Hoses and Gaskets
Your car is a finely tuned machine controlled by a bevy of complex sensors, but it still relies on many simple hoses and gaskets. Modern versions of these parts are more long-lasting than their counterparts from years past, but they have the same essential job: keep fluids contained in your engine and off your garage floor.
These parts also tend to fail for the same reasons: age, poor fluid maintenance, and heating and cooling cycles. Leaks from old gaskets and hoses are inevitable on nearly any car, and these leaks can lead to serious trouble if you don't address them quickly. Fortunately, hose and gasket replacement is rarely a complicated procedure, even on high-end cars.
Your radiator is another critical part of your car's cooling system. No matter the design, every radiator uses fins to create extra surface area for heat dissipation. This approach keeps your coolant cool, allowing it to continually transfer heat away from your engine and into the environment. Radiators are relatively reliable and typically only fail due to physical damage or coolant issues.
Modern radiators now use plastic and aluminum instead of copper and brass, but they're otherwise remarkably similar to ones found on cars from several decades ago.
For more information, contact an auto repair shop in your area.Share