If your car’s engine is overheating, it is actually trying to tell you that your cooling system needs immediate attention. A vehicle’s temperature can go beyond the limits when the cooling system fails to absorb, transport and dissipate the heat produced by your engine’s combustion.
Here are the most common causes of engine overheating:
1. Leaking Cooling System
People who understand how the cooling system works know that leaks are the biggest reasons why an engines heat gets out of control. Leaks can happen anywhere, and it’s not unusual to see them in your car’s thermostat housing, water pump, radiator, and coolant hoses. If you notice that your need to add coolant to the reservoir becomes more frequent, a leak in the cooling system could be lurking somewhere. You should have that leak traced by a reliable auto service shop at once before it causes serious problems and huge repair costs.
2. Incorrect Coolant Concentration
Using the right type of coolant mixed with manufacturer-recommended amount of distilled water is the best way to achieve an ideal engine temperature. If you use the wrong coolant or get an incorrect concentration, it can have a negative effect on your cooling system, especially if you’re not up-to-date with your vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule.
Even if you’re using the right type and mixture of coolant, you need to flush it every five years or 35,000 miles whichever comes first. Coolant can become corrosive over time and has a tendency to cause some parts of the cooling system to develop rust.
3. Defective Thermostat
The thermostat is a valve that sits between the radiator and the engine. It prevents coolant from flowing through the engine when the engine is still cool and allows coolant to pass through when the engine gets hot.
A bad thermostat can get stuck in the closed position and prevent coolant from passing through the engine, causing it to overheat. If you notice that your car’s temperature is rising beyond normal, you must have your cooling system checked at once by a trusted professional like the mechanics at an auto repair shop in Broomfield. You should address cooling issues in your car before they escalate into a major problem.
4. Bad Radiator
Like the other vehicle components, your radiator will wear out over time. This will eventually lead to leaking and clogging which reduces the radiator’s ability to sustain the engine’s normal temperature. A defective radiator plays a huge role in engine overheating episodes and should be replaced.
5. Damaged or Worn Out Hoses
Cracks or even pinholes can cause leaks in your cooling system. This can lead to a disruption in the flow of your coolant and eventually drain it if the problem is not addressed immediately.
6. Defective Radiator Fan
Your radiator fan is responsible for pulling air from the radiator to bring down the coolant temperature. If your fan isn’t working normally due to a worn clutch or bad fan motor, your engine’s temperature will rise out of control!
7. Loose Water Pump Belts
A loose or broken belt in your water pump compromises the pumps ability to maintain the normal flow and volume of coolant in the cooling system. This allows the engine’s temperature to build up which will eventually lead to overheating.
8. Bad Water Pump
The water pump is responsible for pumping coolant and circulating it throughout the cooling system. Any defect that can hamper its performance will allow the engine temperature to rise.
Overheating is a sign that your car has an imminent need for repair. In a majority of cases, it is triggered by simple, low-cost issues, but they can lead to a major engine breakdown if they are not addressed promptly. You must not ignore issues that can cause overheating because they can result in extensive engine damage and huge repair costs.
If your car manifests any of the defects we’ve mentioned, you should act on it at once to prevent it from escalating into an overheating problem. The help of a professional auto service shop like New Way Auto Solutions would be your best move to address issues that can lead to overheating.
If you live in Colorado and you have a car that needs maintenance or repair services, call New Way Auto Solutions. We are an auto repair shop that Broomfield car owners prefer because we have the skills, experience, technology and customer service to give you and your car the best care.
Call us today at (303) 593-2434.
