Spenser's Quality Automotive

Unfortunately, an overheating engine is a common problem and, often, this is simply due to lack of care and maintenance on the vehicle in question. While you may not have to seek the expertise of a local Denton mechanic for every issue that pops up with your automobile, it is important to run routine maintenance and checkups on your car to assure it continues to function properly and that no small problem leads to larger ones. Part of this involves knowing how to spot signs of trouble and diagnose them. When your engine overheats, there are six likely causes to inspect.

1. Sensor Misfire. This is not a sign that your engine is overheating; rather, if there are no other clues (smoking radiator, etc) leading you to believe that the engine is running too hot aside from a warning light, your sensor could be faulty or shorting out. This will send a signal back to the vehicle and make it believe it is overheating.
2. Low Coolant. Antifreeze and water work together to keep the temperature in your engine regulated. Low coolant will result in an overheated engine, and while you can temporarily restore your car’s functionality by adding water to the mix, you will need to replace the coolant at the first opportunity.
3. Thermostat. The thermostat helps monitor the temperature of the engine so the cooling system can do its job properly to maintain a constant climate within your car’s motor. However, the temperature gauge can fail, leading to improper balance due to the thermostat not opening at the right time and, therefore, blocking the flow of coolant.
4. Faulty Cooling Fan. The name says it all: the fan is used to cool the engine. Should it malfunction and not properly fan what’s under your car’s hood, you will inevitably find your engine overheating. In addition, the radiator cannot function properly without the cooling fan, complicating the original issue.
5. Loose Radiator Cap. Believe it or not, this is perhaps the most common cause of ‘overheating engines’. In fact, if the radiator cap is loose or improperly attached, water and steam can leak from the hole and boil over onto other metal parts, making steam appear from under your hood. Relax, pull over, shut off the engine, and WAIT. Never touch a hot radiator. Once the car has cooled, you can properly fit the cap back in place.
6. Water Pump Failure. Without the water pump functioning properly, water will not circulate through the cooling system, and you will surely see overheating, since the heat will have no means of escape.

Consider these issues, and if you cannot locate the problem causing your car to overheat, or if you need assistance in repairing the problem, don’t hesitate to call a car repair company in Denton to assist you. Letting a professional auto mechanic do the job will assure everything has been installed or repaired correctly so you can count on your car to cool down and remain safe.

When the cold weather rolls in each year, people think about winterizing their homes, their boats, and other expensive assets, but for some reason, cars don’t come to mind. However, to continue to get the best performance from your vehicle and avoid little things going wrong that could turn into major system failures, winterizing your automobile is essential, even In North Texas, where the weather doesn’t get or stay as cold as it does up north. This maintenance can be quite simple, if you schedule an appointment with your local Denton automotive repair shop. Here are the things to consider.

Windshield wiper replacement – While not as much of a concern in the dry Texas summers, windshield wipers are essential to visibility in the winter during the rain, snow, and ice storms that tend to plague the region. Tire pressurization – Essential to traction as well as fuel mileage, tire pressure changes with temperature, usually getting lower in the cold weather. Your tire pressure should be increased, monitored and maintained.

Examine belts and hoses – If you are at your 30,000-mile scheduled maintenance mark, your local mechanic will do this for you anyway, inspecting them for wear and tear. At the same time, an extra glance before the cold weather weakens the rubber too drastically is always a good safety precaution.

Check your battery – The cold weather makes it harder for the car to start anyway, and if there is corrosion on your battery’s posts or connections, or if the water is low, you are begging to be stranded. Make sure your battery is clean and in good working order before you have to count on a sympathetic passer-by to jump-start your vehicle.

Oil change – While this should be part of your regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance, in the winter, you want to pay special attention to the weight of the oil you are using. Oil thickens in the cold weather, so you’ll want to use a lighter weight oil to assure your engine is properly lubricated. Talk to a Denton auto technician or consult your owner’s manual for recommendations.

Mix your antifreeze – Make sure you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in the radiator to prevent freezing of the coolant in your car that leads to a busted radiator or an overheated car.

Prepare for the worst – In case you are stuck in the chill of a winter storm, have an emergency kit in your car containing a blanket, boots and gloves, an ice scraper, food and water, a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, a first aid kit, paper towels, and an ice scraper. If you follow these guidelines and have a qualified Denton automotive expert help you with the technical issues, you’ll be set for winter. You put a lot of faith in your vehicle to get you from Point A to Point B on demand – do what you can to assure that trust is earned!