Reasons for Car Engines to Overheat
When the engine in an automobile overheats it can be extremely damaging to the motor, rendering it useless and potentially costing thousands of dollars in repair bills. There are multiple reasons why an engine may overheat, just as there are multiple ways to prevent this from occurring. By keeping an eye on your coolant fluid level and performing routine maintenance, you can avoid this problem, but the reasons for an overheating engine must first be identified before the problem can be solved.
All automobiles require coolant to ensure that the engine runs smoothly. When the engine overheats it not only makes the car run poorly, but if the problem persists the engine will eventually blow a head gasket and stop running altogether. The most common reason why an engine may overheat is a lack of coolant. When an engine is running it is constantly pumping coolant through the engine block through a series of hoses that lead from the radiator. To check your coolant level you do not open the radiator, however; if the engine is already hot this could result in fluid bursting forth from the open radiator cap and causing severe burns.
The coolant level is best checked by looking at the coolant reservoir located on the side of the engine compartment. On the coolant reservoir you will see a line that reads "hot fill" or "cold fill"; both of these marks indicate how much fluid should be in the reservoir, depending upon whether the engine is cold or if it has been running and is hot.
Engine coolant is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water, and there are basically two types: one that has a green appearance, and another that is red. Before adding coolant you should check the owner's manual of your vehicle to see what kind of coolant your particular vehicle requires. Using the correct type of coolant, fill the reservoir with the proper amount of fluid. If it continually vanishes then the radiator is likely empty or extremely low and the coolant is going there. As long as there are no leaks and it is not pouring out onto the ground you should continue to add coolant until the reservoir is at the correct level.
It is important to note that engine coolant is extremely hazardous, and if ingested by humans or animals it can be fatal, so if there is a leak in the coolant system of your vehicle it should be repaired immediately. After checking the amount of fluid in the reservoir and ensuring that it has enough, if the car continues to overheat it may need a replacement thermostat. The thermostat on a vehicle is a valve that allows coolant to enter the engine block and circulate through it to cool it from the inside out. Replacing a thermostat can be an easy task to perform yourself, depending upon what type of vehicle you are working on and how much space there is in which to work. If you are unfamiliar with this type of repair, however, it may be necessary to take the vehicle to a mechanic to ensure that it is done properly.
While a lack of coolant or a malfunctioning thermostat can both cause an engine to overheat, the problem may even be as simple as there being a leak in one of the hoses that leads from the radiator to the engine. If there is enough coolant in the vehicle, the thermostat is new and functioning, and the vehicle continues to overheat, check for leaks in the coolant system. A leaky hose can easily cause the system to lose pressure and not cool properly. On the other end of the spectrum however, the problem may be much worse, such as a faulty heater coil. If this is the case then it is best to take the vehicle to a mechanic so that the problem can be properly diagnosed and repaired.
Checking the hoses, coolant level, and replacing the thermostat may fix an overheating engine, but, with all of these procedures checked off, if the problem continues it may be necessary to take the vehicle to a repair shop. Whatever the cause, however, an overheating engine can potentially destroy the motor in your car and should be given the proper attention to ensure that it is fixed as soon as possible.
