Why is my car overheating

April 25, 2022

Just think of the scenario that you are driving in hot summer, and in the middle of the journey, you see smoke coming from under the hood. Overheating engines can occur, and the damage can be severe if suitable precautions are not taken. If your motor is running too hot, it can cause damage and ruin your road journey. 


Nowadays, car engines are built to be durable. Still, when the heat generated by the vehicle engine reaches above the average temperature, the devices to cool the distribution of heat may begin to fail, causing permanent damage to the engine and gaskets, seals, and hoses that are intended to keep the engine running.   


Elite auto experts help you understand "Why is my car overheating" and the possible actions you can take if your vehicle begins overheating during a road journey. 


WHY IS MY CAR OVERHEATING?

There can be multiple reasons associated with your car engine overheating. Let's discuss those significant reasons:

 

FAILURE OF COOLING SYSTEM 

Commonly, the overheated engine is caused by the failure of your car's cooling system. The cooling system is responsible for extracting heat away from the engine. If there is any defect in the cooling system like leaking, then your car can overheat. 


If you will not provide serious attention to your cooling system efficiency and neglect it, the result can be complete engine failure which will end your road journey. The regular maintenance of your cooling system is essential, and you can visit Elite auto experts to maintain your cooling system and overall car maintenance. 


RADIATOR PROBLEMS 

A radiator acts as the core part of your cooling system, pulling heat away from your car engine. For this reason, if anything goes wrong with the radiator, your engine can overheat instantly. 


Keep in mind to take instructions from the technical auto mechanic about replacing or maintaining the vehicle coolant. It's better for your engine efficiency and avoiding any engine failure. 


As a car owner, you should also personally do a visual inspection of hoses, belts, and radiators to witness if there is any problem in the cooling system before they escalate. If you find any major problem, instantly bring your automobile to car engine experts. 


FAULTY BELTS OR HOSES 

Improper working of belts or hoses of your car can also cause overheating engine problems. The belts and hoses of the car play an essential role in the engine's cooling, air conditioning, and charging systems. 


The belt transmits power to different accessories like air conditioning, a charging system, and fans. On the other side, radiator and heater hoses work to eliminate heat from the engine. 


As a car owner, you must conduct regular inspections of belts, hoses, and fluids to ensure that your car remains perfectly cooled and healthy on every mile you cover on the road. That's why we offer engine overheating checks at Elite auto experts. Our qualified team will check your vehicle belts, hoses, and many more and guarantee your car is in excellent condition after repair from our workshop. 


LOW OIL

The real job of the engine oil is to maintain your vehicle temperature by minimizing friction. So, if there is any oil leakage or your car is low on oil, it can result in overheating. 


Oil lubricates the internal components of the engine and guarantees their smooth movement. Lack of lubrication will cause friction, generate excessive heat, and resultantly the engine can fail. 


The technicians at Elite auto sports can easily detect and remove your car oil problems to ensure minimum friction. 


BAD THERMOSTAT

The possibility of the thermostat failing is also certain, just like any other part of your car. If the thermostat fails, it can cause severe trouble for the car engine, as the thermostat's function is to regulate the coolant and helps avoid engine overheating. 


Moreover, the signs of a bad thermostat include irregular fluctuation of temperature coolant leaking under your car. You should instantly drive your vehicle to the auto mechanic as you find these issues. 


Cooling system and radiator checkups at Elite auto experts help you diagnose thermostat problems and prevent them from happening in the future. 


WATER PUMP FAILURE 

The water pump drives the movement of coolant throughout the cooling system. The coolant absorbs the engine heat and is circulated by a water pump through hoses to the radiator. Once the radiator extracts heat from the coolant, the coolant circulates back to the engine, and this process starts again. Therefore, water pump problems like leakage can cause overheating engines. 


Other few signs that signify water pump failure include steam emerging from the radiator and coolant leakage. 


Our qualified technicians will examine if there is any problem associated with the water pump that can cause overheating issues. 


Taking care of your vehicle's cooling system is the best way to avoid overheating your car. If you wonder why your car is overheating, Elite auto experts can provide you with the best solution to this problem by ensuring quality services. 


STEPS TO TAKE WHEN ENGINE IS OVERHEATING

TURN ON THE HEATER 

It sounds illogical, but it's recommended that you turn on the heater in the overheating situation. It draws heat away from the engine and into the passenger compartment, reducing the burden on a cooling system. 


In a few conditions, that can reverse the overheating system. You will know that this strategy is working when the warning lights of the engine go off, or the temperature gauges return to their normal position. 

PULLOVER 

If the car continues to overheat after driving for a few minutes with the heater on, pull over and cut off the engine. It's the surest and safe way to cool the engine. If you have any road assistance, demand help to pull over your car towards the auto repair shop. 

In Elite auto experts, we can reach you instantly after you make a call to us in case of any vehicle problem on the road. We will get you and bring your car to our shop to repair it beyond your expectations. 


SIT TIGHT 

In any case, if you don't find road assistance, be patient, as it will take 15 minutes for the engine to cool down. 


Remember! While waiting for the engine to cool down, don't ever open the hood during this timeline. During car overheating, the coolant in the car can be overheated up to 230 degrees. 


Once you open the hood, there is the risk of being sprayed by hot water or steam emerging out with pressure. Your safety is important to Elite auto experts. Therefore, we recommend you to wait and you can just call us to arrive at your place. 


Don't worry; our auto experts certified team can handle these overheating problems effectively. Our services are light on your pocket, and we are a cost-effective solution to all of your car problems. 


ADD COOLANT

After waiting for 15 minutes, the hood cools down; open the hood by putting on gloves and locate the radiator cap. You can also consult the owner manual if necessary. Cover the cap with the towel and gradually push down and loosen it a quarter of a turn for discharging pressure built up due to coolant expansion when overheated. 


Afterward, open the radiator cap and add coolant slowly_ half water, half antifreeze_ until the liquid reaches full line. The coolant should also be injected inside the small plastic overflow reservoir on the side of the radiator. 


Next, replace the cap and start the engine. If the red warning light switches off or the temperature gauge is back to normal, you can proceed with caution while the temperature gauge or light. 


DRIVE TOWARDS THE SERVICE STATION 

Adding coolant doesn't help you address the problem causing your car engine to overheat. It only allows you to drive safely to the nearest auto repair shop. The auto technicians will inspect your vehicle's cooling system. While driving, you have to be conscious of checking the temperature gauge. 


CAR OVERHEATING REPAIR COST 

The cost of overheating vehicles varies according to the extent of damage that has been done. If you have turned the engine off as soon as you witness the warning light, the damage can be minimized. But it's too late if you have seen the steam from the engine or coolant leakage on the ground. 


Some minor replacements are thermostat or heater hose replacement, wiring repair of a cooling fan, and antifreeze flushes. These issues are less expensive. 


Major repairs happen when your car demands extensive engine work. Water pump replacement, heater core changes, and radiator replacement are a few main changes that are a little expensive. Specifically, significant repairs to diesel engines can be even more expensive.

 

Here, at Elite auto experts, we offer the most reliable prices for your car maintenance by ensuring quality work in these extreme conditions. Hence, if any issue is linked with car overheating, you can contact us or visit our auto repair shop for further assistance. 


GENERAL TIPS FOR PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM OVERHEATING 

Before this question arrives in your mind about why my car is overheating, you can prevent it by just following a few constructive tips. 

Consistently check your vehicle coolant levels. 


Store an extra bottle of new antifreeze inside your car. 


Examine the thermostat of the car while driving on the road. 


Avoid overusing the air-conditioning of your vehicle on sweltering days. 


When you witness the first sign of a car overheating, turn off the engine to release the heat. 


Use the vehicle owner manual for handling the overheating issues for your convenience. 


Engine overheating is a serious problem that can cause severe damage to your vehicle. Regular maintenance of your car will help you avoid these problems. If you have any issues or problems regarding your cooling systems, we are here to assist you at your call. 


The specialists of our Elite auto experts have years of automotive industry experience. We thoroughly examine your car and deliver it to you after eliminating every single error from your vehicle. 


CONCLUSION 

Car overheating can be a drastic issue for your car engine as it can damage significant parts. There can be several reasons for your car engine overheating which are enlisted in this article. 


If you find overheating issues, instantly bring your car to the nearest auto repair shop to avoid any major problems. Hope this guide will be suitable for you in learning about why my car is overheating. 

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