Why is my car overheating?

If the vehicle does have air conditioning, it is again important to pay attention to this. Air conditioning is an extra burden on the engine. So by not turning on the air conditioning all the time, you can help prevent the car from overheating. Finally, it is good to realize that driving in the heat requires more concentration from a driver. Why an engine overheats There are several causes of overheating. Almost everything stems from a lack of circulation, but can be caused in several ways. Cooling system leaks - A leak in the cooling system does not immediately cause the engine to overheat. The direct cause is air entering the cooling system. When a leak is present, the coolant level drops and air is sucked in and circulated. Air is clearly lighter than coolant, and once it rises to the top of the cooling system it creates what is known as an airlock. An airlock is a large air bubble that cannot be pushed through the cooling system by the coolant flow. That means that the cooling system effectively stops circulating and the coolant left in the engine overheats. Blockage - A blockage in the cooling system is another indirect cause, as overheating is actually due to a lack of coolant circulation in the engine. When the cooling system is blocked and the coolant cannot circulate to the radiator to dissipate heat, the engine will overheat. A few common obstacles are: A thermostat that doesn't open when it should. A mineral deposit that blocks the radiator. A foreign object in the cooling system. Failed water pump - Failure of a water pump is one of the most common causes of overheating. The water pump is the most active component in the cooling system and is responsible for maintaining the coolant circulation. Over time, the bearing or impeller in the water pump may wear or break and the impeller will stop turning. When this happens, it usually takes a short time for the motor to overheat. The refrigerant is not concentrated enough - This condition is primarily a concern in cold weather climates where temperatures drop below freezing. The coolant can gel in the engine or radiator and cause a blockage. Even in the freezing cold, an engine will easily overheat if the antifreeze is gelled and cannot circulate. It can cause internal damage in components that require attention, such as a possible radiator repair. A lesser known system that helps cool the engine is the engine oil itself. It plays a major role in engine cooling and also in preventing the build-up of excessive temperatures. The engine oil lubricates internal engine parts to prevent friction, the number one cause of heat in an engine. Many manufacturers have an engine oil cooler built into their vehicle that acts like a radiator. The hot oil is circulated to the oil cooler where the heat evaporates before returning to the engine. Up to 40% of the engine's cooling is provided by the engine oil. Common repairs needed to correct overheating Replacement of the water pump Radiator repair or replacement Rinse antifreeze Thermostat replacement Add or change engine oil Coolant hose replacement

If the vehicle does have air conditioning, it is again important to pay attention to this. Air conditioning is an extra burden on the engine. So by not turning on the air conditioning all the time, you can help prevent the car from overheating. Finally, it is good to realize that driving in the heat requires more concentration from a driver. Why an engine overheats There are several causes of overheating. Almost everything stems from a lack of circulation, but can be caused in several ways. Cooling system leaks - A leak in the cooling system does not immediately cause the engine to overheat. The direct cause is air entering the cooling system. When a leak is present, the coolant level drops and air is sucked in and circulated. Air is clearly lighter than coolant, and once it rises to the top of the cooling system it creates what is known as an airlock. An airlock is a large air bubble that cannot be pushed through the cooling system by the coolant flow. That means that the cooling system effectively stops circulating and the coolant left in the engine overheats. Blockage - A blockage in the cooling system is another indirect cause, as overheating is actually due to a lack of coolant circulation in the engine. When the cooling system is blocked and the coolant cannot circulate to the radiator to dissipate heat, the engine will overheat. A few common obstacles are: A thermostat that doesn't open when it should. A mineral deposit that blocks the radiator. A foreign object in the cooling system. Failed water pump - Failure of a water pump is one of the most common causes of overheating. The water pump is the most active component in the cooling system and is responsible for maintaining the coolant circulation. Over time, the bearing or impeller in the water pump may wear or break and the impeller will stop turning. When this happens, it usually takes a short time for the motor to overheat. The refrigerant is not concentrated enough - This condition is primarily a concern in cold weather climates where temperatures drop below freezing. The coolant can gel in the engine or radiator and cause a blockage. Even in the freezing cold, an engine will easily overheat if the antifreeze is gelled and cannot circulate. It can cause internal damage in components that require attention, such as a possible radiator repair. A lesser known system that helps cool the engine is the engine oil itself. It plays a major role in engine cooling and also in preventing the build-up of excessive temperatures. The engine oil lubricates internal engine parts to prevent friction, the number one cause of heat in an engine. Many manufacturers have an engine oil cooler built into their vehicle that acts like a radiator. The hot oil is circulated to the oil cooler where the heat evaporates before returning to the engine. Up to 40% of the engine's cooling is provided by the engine oil. Common repairs needed to correct overheating Replacement of the water pump Radiator repair or replacement Rinse antifreeze Thermostat replacement Add or change engine oil Coolant hose replacement