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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
