If your engine is overheating when you drive your car, we recommend that you have the vehicle towed to our shop. This prevents additional and unnecessary engine damage such as a cracked exhaust manifold or cracked head gasket. The engine is overheating for reason, and we will find that reason and fix it. Our experienced technicians are cooling system experts.
Grime in the Cooling System
One reason why your car’s engine may be overheating is that there is too much dirt in the cooling system. As this dirt builds up throughout the cooling system in the radiator, it can form clogs. Unfortunately, when the cooling system is clogged, you will not have coolant circulating through the engine. This could be just one reason why your engine is overheating.
Leaks in the Cooling System
A cooling system that has not been serviced can also develop leaks. When the coolant leaks out of the cooling system, your engine will overheat because the coolant level is too low. Adding coolant to the system is an exercise in futility because the fresh coolant will also leak. It is important for us to find the source of the leak and fix it, i.e., replace a leaking radiator hose.
A Malfunctioning Water Pump
Your car may also be overheating because the water pump is malfunctioning. The water pump moves the coolant through the engine so that all of the engine’s temperature is reduced. The coolant needs to flow through the engine at the right pressure in order to keep the engine cool. If the water pump is dying out, the coolant circulation pressure may be too low.
The Thermostat Is Too Old
Without the thermostat, the engine would never receive coolant. The thermostat releases the coolant once it detects that the engine is getting hot. If your car overheats right after you start it, this is a sign that the thermostat has gone bad. The thermostat that was installed in the factory will generally last about 100,000 miles. This equates to 10 years.
The Radiator Is Damaged
Finally, the source of the overheating could be the radiator. If it gets damaged by road debris or an automobile accident, your engine will overheat. The radiator sits directly behind the grille, so it is susceptible to abuse. In addition to the abuse, the radiator can also rust on the inside and start to leak once the corrosion has eaten through the bottom of it.
As we mentioned above, our service technicians are experts. If your car is overheating all the time, call us to set up a service appointment today.