Why Is My Car Overheating?
Why Is My Car Overheating?
If your temperature gauge starts climbing toward the red, your car is telling you something is wrong. An overheating engine should not be ignored. The good news is that overheating does not always mean you need a new engine. There are several common problems that can cause a car to run too hot.
Low Coolant
Coolant helps carry heat away from the engine. If the coolant level gets too low, the engine may not be able to stay at the correct temperature. Low coolant can happen because of a leak from a hose, radiator, water pump, reservoir, or another part of the cooling system. Simply adding coolant may get the level back up, but we still need to find out where the coolant went.
Coolant Leak
Sometimes the leak is easy to see. You may notice a puddle under the vehicle or coolant around a hose or connection. Other leaks can be very small and may only show up when the engine is hot and the cooling system is under pressure. A cooling system pressure test can help us find leaks that may not be easy to see.
Bad Thermostat
The thermostat controls when coolant flows through the engine and radiator. If it sticks closed, the coolant cannot move through the system correctly. The engine temperature can rise very quickly.
Cooling Fan Problem
When your vehicle is sitting still or moving slowly, the cooling fan helps pull air through the radiator. If the fan is not working, the car may overheat while sitting in traffic but cool back down once you start driving. The problem could be the fan itself, a fuse, relay, wiring problem, sensor, or another electrical issue.
Water Pump Problem
The water pump keeps coolant moving through the engine. If the pump is leaking or not moving coolant correctly, the engine may overheat. Some water pumps will also make noise when they begin to fail.
Radiator Problems
The radiator removes heat from the coolant. A clogged radiator, damaged radiator, or poor airflow through the radiator can make it harder for the cooling system to do its job.
What Should You Do If Your Car Starts Overheating?
If the temperature gauge moves into the red or you see an overheating warning, find a safe place to pull over and shut the engine off. Continuing to drive an overheating vehicle can turn a smaller cooling system problem into major engine damage. Also, never remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system can be under pressure, and hot coolant can cause serious burns.
Let Us Find the Cause
At Automotive Blessings, we do not want to guess at why your vehicle is overheating. We can inspect the cooling system, check for leaks, test the cooling fans, inspect the thermostat and water pump, and determine what is causing the engine to run hot. If your temperature gauge has been running higher than normal, give us a call before the problem gets worse.
Automotive Blessings
840 Shallowford Rd
Kennesaw, GA 30144
770-575-0400
automotiveblessings.com
