3 Causes of Car Overheating

What are the causes of overheating?

  1. Not enough coolant
  2. Broken thermostat
  3. Faulty radiator

 

You’re traveling along the highway when you suddenly hear strange noises from the engine. Your thermostat is at an all-time high and you see some smoke from the hood. When this happens, you should pull over and immediately call a mechanic. This way, you will know if you need to look for brass and copper radiators in the Philippines. If you’re wondering why this is happening, keep on reading for the car overheating causes!

 

Not Enough Coolant

Man filling antifreeze coolant for cleaning front window with snow in background

The main role of a coolant is to absorb the heat from your engine and keep it within the optimum temperature range. This liquid passes through different components of your engine until the heated fluid can reach the radiator, where it is cooled again. This cycle continues as you continue to drive your car.

That means that if you don’t have enough coolant, your engine might feel hotter than usual. This can be caused by leaks in the hoses or a blown head gasket in your cooling system. Other than that, this special fluid can also become corrosive over time, so you need to replace it regularly.

 

Broken Thermostat

But even if you don’t have problems with your coolant, you can experience overheating with a broken thermostat. This vehicle component is responsible for regulating the amount of coolant that is circulated in your engine. It also determines how much of it is cooled in the radiator so your engine stays within the normal temperature.

The thermostat is a valve that opens and closes with a spring or piston to let the heated liquid pass. But sometimes it can get stuck in the closed position. Because of this, the coolant cannot progress through properly which results in an overheated engine.

To fix this problem, your mechanic might recommend replacing your thermostat with a new one.

 

Faulty Radiator

Faulty Radiator

Aside from the coolant and the thermostat, another component of your cooling system that you need to inspect is the radiator. The thermal switch which is responsible for activating the fan might be malfunctioning. Without ample airflow, your coolant would stay hot even after passing through the radiator and cause your engine to overheat.

Other than that, your mechanic might also check for radiator clogs. Over time, dirt and other particles can block the fins and pipes inside and cause a malfunction. In some cases, your radiator might also suffer damage from an accident. When the problem is severe, you might need to replace this part with a new one.

 

Key Takeaway

The main car overheating causes can be attributed to the different components of your vehicle’s cooling system. Whether it’s the thermostat, the hoses, the coolant, or the radiator—if one of them is faulty, the entire setup is compromised. Because of this, you need to ensure that everything is in working condition with preventive maintenance. This way, you will know if it’s time for repair or replacements!

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