Why Is My Car Overheating?

A vehicle's overheating engine can quickly put a damper on your plans. Several problems with the engine's cooling system and its related parts can cause the engine to overheat. When that happens, it's essential to pull over to the side of the road and turn the car off if you can. The engine can sustain additional damage if the problem isn't corrected, which means you should always contact a mechanic to have your car checked out if you think it has engine problems.

Water Pump

The water pump transports engine coolant fluid throughout the vehicle's cooling system. It also helps move the fluid out of the engine in the first place. If the water pump breaks, the coolant fluid cannot leave the engine, which in turn causes the engine to strain and eventually overheat. The water pump also contains multiple parts, such as the water pump belt, that can break and cause the entire unit to stop working correctly.

Cooling System Leak

The cooling system is comprised of belts, hoses, and other components that help circulate antifreeze, or coolant fluid, through the cooling system along with the engine. A leak in the cooling system can be a common cause of engines overheating, as the system has many parts. One sign that this is your problem is if you notice blue or green fluid beneath your vehicle when it's parked, which indicates that the coolant fluid is draining out through a leak somewhere.

Radiator and Fan Problems

An issue with the radiator can cause your car's engine to overheat as well. However, the problem may ultimately start with fans, which work with the radiator to help the engine maintain the correct internal temperature so that it usually avoids overheating. If the fans are not functioning properly, the radiator cannot maintain the engine's temperature, which causes its internal temperatures to increase.

Worn or Damaged Belts and Hoses

The belts and hoses in your vehicle's cooling system are regularly put under stress, making them naturally vulnerable to wearing out or breaking over time. The hoses may become contaminated and filled with debris such as dirt and dust, which causes them to stop working correctly.

Thermostat Failure

The thermostat is a small but important part of the cooling system. The thermostat regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant fluid. A failure in the thermostat can interfere with coolant fluid moving through the cooling system.

If your car is overheating, contact us today for prompt repairs.