The reason why you decided to read our blog is that your car is overheating. This can be a very dangerous situation, so, you need to act quickly. The reasons for car overheating are not one but many. However, before we delve deeper into understanding the causes, the first thing that you should do is turn off your engine and then call for a professional car mechanic since this could be an emergency. If the problem persists after turning the engine off, find out what’s causing it by looking at your coolant levels or checking under the hood for leaks.
Is it because of a leak in your radiator? Or perhaps the coolant levels are low? Well, if you are reading this blog, then the answer may be yes. But other reasons could cause your car to overheat too.
So, let’s get started!
Important Reasons Why Your Car Is Overheating
1. There is a coolant leak
One of the most common reasons for car overheating is a coolant leak. Thus, start by checking all the coolant levels in your vehicle. As you already know, a car comprises numerous and various places where the cooling system can be found leaking. Be it the thermostat housing, radiator, hoses or water pump, a coolant leak can occur at any of these places.
If you can identify the leaking spot, you can try sealing it but that’s only for the time being. For the real fix, you can post a request for a certified car mechanic on Swezo. The platform is reputable for helping vehicle owners connect with thousands of trusted car mechanics who are proficient in conducting brake pad replacement, windscreen replacement, jumpstarting a car and other types of repair services.
2. Stuck closed thermostat
You know how the thermostat in your water heater functions, don’t you? The thermostat in the engine also operates similarly, regulating the temperature. The thermostat is closed if the engine is cold. As a consequence, the coolant doesn’t move from the engine to the radiator.
When the engine warms up, the thermostat opens so that coolant can flow inside the radiator. The radiator functions as a medium for exchanging heat as it transfers warmth from the coolant to the external air. That is how the car engine continues to operate temperature within a specific range.
Your car gets overheated when the thermostat remains closed continuously. For this reason, the coolant is unable to reach the radiator, overheating the engine and releasing a foul smell.
3. The radiator is restricted
As the primary component inside the vehicle’s cooling system, the radiator’s main function is to regulate a vehicle’s engine temperature and avoid it from getting overheated. And to perform this function smoothly, the radiator must not have any kind of external or internal obstruction.
If there’s any blockage inside the radiator, the coolant flow gets impeded from entering inside the radiator. Blockage on the exterior can also restrict airflow across the radiator. Obstruction in any form inside or outside the radiator is hazardous as it causes car overheating.
4. Impaired water pump
Like the radiator, the water pump is another critical component of your car. Its primary function is to ensure continuous coolant circulation from the radiator to the car’s engine, thereby negating overheating. The water pump also has a rotating part with fan-like blades and is known as an impeller.
When the engine is in operation, the impeller spins and pushes coolant into the vehicle’s cooling system. A failure in the water pump or the driving mechanism, that is, the timing chain or timing belt, and the coolant doesn’t circulate appropriately.
Also read: 7 Critical Mistakes You Should Avoid When Buying a New Car
5. A problem with the air conditioner system
A faulty air conditioning system can also be one of the vital reasons for car overheating. It is important to know that the air conditioning system of a car is a tricky one as it is composed of numerous parts and most of them derive power from the engine. This results in effecting extra load on the engine. Along with this, a defective AC condenser can also be the reason behind why your vehicle is overheating.
Steps to Take If Your Car is Overheating
- Park your car at a safe place and turn it off completely. Let the engine cool down for 20 minutes and check the temperature gauge continuously if it goes back to the normal range.
- Turn off the air conditioner immediately. This reduces stress on the engine. Then, turn the dial to release maximum heat.
- Check if the coolant level has dropped too low. If it has, top-off by filling it up.
- Request a mechanic to visit if you’re clueless about what should be your next step and if the engine doesn’t restart.
Also read: Why Won’t Your Car Start & How a Mobile Mechanic Can Help
Car is Overheated? Visit Swezo Today
There you go! Now, you know what the reasons for car overheating are. Having your car overheated is a major inconvenience. To avoid this, you should be able to recognize the signs of an overheated engine and take action before things get out of hand. If you’re unsure if it might just need some coolant added, leave us a request on our website today! We can help diagnose any issues with your vehicle so that you don’t have to worry about being stranded in traffic without AC because of something as simple as running low on antifreeze. Request by posting a request on Swezo today and you’ll get an instant estimate within your budget!
