Car Engine OverHeating : Causes and How to fix it

There’s nothing quite as scary as suddenly noticing a temperature gauge venturing into the red. Once an engine reaches a certain temperature, parts can begin to seize, warp or score, all of which are catastrophic in automotive terms. I believe the cooling system is an often neglected area of motoring considering its importance, especially in high-revving and torquey performance cars that will generate a serious amount of heat.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the common sources of a toasty engine and how they can lead to some frightening results.

Causes of Overheating

Summertime is the time of year when car overheating becomes a real danger. It can happen for various reasons, but the most common are the car’s age, condition, and fill level. To prevent overheating, regularly check tire pressure, jack up the car as high as possible, and refill the water tank if it gets low. Keep windows closed when the weather is hot outside to reduce heat buildup inside the vehicle. If you experience overheating symptoms in your car, take it to a Car Service Centre immediately!

Here are some common causes of overheating cars:

Low Coolant or Leakage

A lack of coolant is one of the most common causes of car overheating. If the engine coolant level gets too low, it can cause the radiator to overheat and fail. To check your coolant temperature, use a water gauge or empty the thermostat housing and look for water in the cooling system hoses.

Coolant leaks can also develop inside the engine block. This is usually caused by a damaged head gasket or a crack inside the engine block. It leads to cross-contamination between the fuel and radiator fluid, followed by low coolant levels.

Faulty Thermostat

Much like the thermostat in your home, an engine thermostat helps regulate engine temperature. When the engine is cold, the thermostat remains closed, preventing coolant from moving to the radiator. Once the engine warms up, the thermostat opens to allow coolant to flow into the radiator. The radiator acts like a heat exchanger, transferring warmth from the coolant to the outside air. This process helps keep the engine operating temperature within the optimum range— which is around 195°F – 220°F (75°C – 105°C).

Now problems start when the faulty thermostat sticks in the closed position. That’s because this position restricts the coolant’s flow to the radiator, which, in turn, overheats the engine.

Faulty Water Pump

Your car’s water pump is powered by the engine — either through an accessory belt, timing belt, or timing chain. The water pump housing also contains a rotating component called an impeller, which has fan-like blades. Anytime the engine runs, the impeller spins and pushes the coolant through the cooling system. 

If the water pump fails, coolant will no longer circulate properly, causing the temperature gauge to spike and the engine to overheat.

A Restricted Radiator

The radiator must be free from internal and external obstructions to dissipate engine heat.   Why?
That’s because an internal blockage can obstruct coolant flow through the radiator, while an external obstruction can prevent airflow across the device. Both issues can lead to overheating.

Faulty Cooling Fan

When your car travels down the road, air flowing through the radiator cools the coolant down and lowers the engine temperature. But at idle or under other conditions, like when the engine reaches 220°F, a radiator fan is necessary to keep things cool. 

And that’s why your engine overheats when the cooling fan fails.

Faulty Coolant Temperature Sensor

In modern cars, an onboard computer controls the radiator fan operation. The computer relies primarily on the engine coolant temperature sensor data to determine when to turn on the fan. 

If the sensor fails, the computer might not operate the fan properly, and your car may overheat.

Low Engine Oil

Sometimes, extremely low engine oil levels can cause overheating. That’s because engine oil reduces the friction between the moving parts of the engine by lubricating them. This brings down the amount of excess heat released by the engine. 

So if your car overheats and your oil light and check engine light turns on, you may have low engine oil.

Signs of an Overheating Engine

To prevent severe engine damage caused by overheating, here are some signs you can look out for:

• Steam or smoke coming from the engine compartment
• High temperature gauge reading (the needle spikes to the red or “H” end)
• Strange smells from the engine compartment (sweet if there’s a coolant leak and burnt if it’s an oil leak)
• Illuminated temperature and check engine lights.

Next, let’s find out what you can do if you notice these signs. 

Don't Be Panic !! Follow our tips when Car begins to Over heat.

If your car overheats, the first thing you should do is slow down and find a safe parking spot. 

However, if you have no choice but to keep driving, here’s what you can do:

• Turn off the air conditioning and other accessories. This helps reduce stress on the engine.
• Crank up the heater. It helps pull excess heat out of the engine.
• Open all windows and drive at a steady speed. Natural airflow can help reduce engine heat.
• Once you’ve stopped at a safe place, immediately turn off the engine and call for assistance. 

While waiting for your mechanic or tow truck to arrive, here are a few things you can do:

• Open the engine compartment. Only do this after you let the engine cool down— opening the hood immediately could cause the steam to burn your skin.
• Check the coolant level. If it’s low, refill until the full line.
• Inspect the radiator for any blockages. For example, a huge piece of plastic can get stuck and cause overheating.
• Check the engine oil level. Refill the reservoir if you have fresh engine oil.

If your car overheats and you don’t get it inspected immediately call the Wheels Play for instant response, you may potentially end up with costly engine repair jobs.

Tips to Prevent Your Car From Overheating

Here are some steps you can take to prevent overheating:

• Always check your engine oil condition and coolant level before leaving the house.
• Keep a fresh bottle of coolant and a gallon of water in your car.
• Never skip maintenance and routine inspection appointments, like an oil change, coolant flush, etc.
• Don’t overuse the air conditioning, especially on extremely hot days.
• When driving long distances, always take a break to let the engine cool down.

As long as you care for your car’s overall health, the chances of experiencing a road emergency are fairly low. 

Final Thoughts

Car overheating is caused by several reasons, like a blocked radiator or a leaking radiator hose. If you ignore these issues, you may end up with costly engine repair. So, if you notice the temperature gauge rising, immediately pull over and shut the car engine off. 

For help with resolving your overheating problem, get a hold of a professional, like Wheels Play : Best Car Service Centre in Bihar. 

Wheels Play is an auto repair and maintenance service station . Our mechanics are equipped with the necessary tools will diagnose your car and provide the detailed reports with approximate cost of repair.

Contact us today to get your overheated engine inspected and repaired!