Automobile engines are not designed to run any hotter than 220 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Once they go above this temperature, they are overheating. An overheating engine can be damaged beyond repair, especially if the excess heat cracks the engine block. The Shop Tire and Service Center lists 10 reasons why your car keeps overheating below.
1. Coolant Circulation Problems
Coolant circulates through the engine to draw heat away from it and keep the temperature below 220 degrees. Circulation problems can be caused by clogged cooling system hoses or a malfunctioning water pump. Without coolant circulating through the engine, it will overheat.
2. Leaking Engine Coolant
Another problem can happen when the engine coolant leaks out of the system. It can leak out of the radiator itself, the overflow reservoir, gaskets, hoses, and system seals. A lower-than-normal coolant level will cause your engine to run too hot.
3. Old and Cracked Hoses
Old and cracked hoses are a common reason why coolant will leak out of the system. Older hoses can also be clogged by sediment which causes the circulation problems discussed above. The radiator hoses can also be damaged by road debris.
4. Malfunctioning Thermostat
If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it might not release the coolant into the engine to reduce its temperature. The thermostat works much like your home’s thermostat does. Once the temperature reaches a certain degree, it opens up the coolant flow.
5. Malfunctioning Cooling Fan
A cooling fan helps to cool off the hot engine coolant once it has been returned to the radiator after circulating through the engine. If the radiator fan is malfunctioning, your engine will end up with hot coolant circulating through it.
6. Clogged Radiator Air Inlet
The radiator air inlet also cools off the hot engine coolant. This vent can get clogged by dirt and debris. If the airflow is compromised, again, the coolant will not be reduced in temperature before it recirculates through the engine.
7. Damaged, Rusted Radiator
If your vehicle is old, your radiator may be damaged or rusted. Age is a radiator’s worst enemy. Road debris can also damage the radiator. It’s possible that your radiator’s bottom has rusted through and you have coolant hemorrhaging from it.
8. Malfunctioning Water Pump
After the thermostat releases the engine coolant, the water pump circulates it through the engine. The water pump itself can leak and reduce the amount of coolant in the engine, or it can malfunction and prevent engine coolant circulation.
9. Dirty, Old Motor Oil
If you have dirty and old motor oil circulating through your engine, this, too, can make it overheat. Motor oil also helps keep your engine’s temperature down, so it’s important that you change it every 3,000 miles.
10. Overheating Fuel Pump
Finally, your fuel pump motor can get too hot, especially if you are driving on empty. Once the motor starts to overheat, it transfers this heat into your vehicle’s engine and this, in turn, overheats it.
The Shop Tire and Service Center is the best auto repair shop in Elk River MN. We can get to the bottom of why your engine overheats constantly and fix the problem.