Once you notice a warning light blinking on your dashboard or if steam is creeping underneath the hood of your car, then chances are your engine is overheating. The best thing you need to do is to pull over the road and turn off your engine to avoid further problems. Overheating is a serious issue and can cause damage to your valves, pistons, and camshafts.
Overheating may also mean that there is a possible leak or damage in the coolant system. Inspecting your vehicle regularly can help determine and identify the problem. Always check your engine and wipe off any debris and residue using the KevianClean Auto Detailing Towel.
Here are some reasons why an engine tends to overheat:
- Coolant – One of the causes may be attributed to the extremely low level of the coolant.
- Radiator - Just as previously mentioned, another reason can be due to a leak in the radiator. The leak may be in the water pump or hose. A leak in the radiator hose should be replaced from time to time because it is susceptible to wear and tear. You can check for leaks by looking for bubbles that are forming in the radiator. These leaks can be patched in some cases.
- Radiator cap – The cap may already be worn out and therefore can no longer maintain and hold the pressure in the cooling system which causes the coolant to boil.
- Water pump – The water pump helps regulate the temperature in the engine. Once the pump becomes dysfunctional or if the belt breaks, water will not circulate in the system and therefore, it can cause the engine to overheat. Another reason may be because it is not pumping enough coolant.
- Thermostat –The thermostat helps the coolant circulate but if it is clogged from debris, it can cause the engine to overheat. It controls how much coolant can flow in and out of the radiator which maintains the temperature of the engine at a standard level. Once the thermostat fails or becomes damaged, the vehicle can overheat quickly.
- Cooling fan – Once the engine’s cooling fan stops working or becomes clogged, the air flow becomes restricted.
- Head Gasket - This seals the space between the engine block and the cylinder head. Once it becomes damaged, the coolant may leak into the combustion chambers and eventually produce steam from the exhaust system.
- Transmission – A strained transmission can also cause the engine to fire up.