Why Your Car Can Overheat
There are several reasons why your vehicle can overheat. More often than not, it is caused by an issue with your cooling system. There are several components to a car’s cooling system, and if your car has been experiencing overheating, there could be damage to one or more of these components. The cooling system is comprised of the fan, radiator, water pumps, thermostat, coolant, and hoses.
Depending on the cause, it may be an easy fix, or it may require a more thorough job. For example, it may be something as simple as refilling your antifreeze, or there may be permanent damage to a component of your car. In that case, the part will most likely need replacing. No matter what the issue is, the professionals at “A” Quality Mobile will be there to help. Our years of experience have taught us what signs to look out for and how to best resolve a variety of auto issues.
Below are some common reasons why your car may be overheating. Knowing these reasons might make it easier to narrow down the issue. However, regardless of what you may think be causing your car to overheat, you should always call a mechanic. Reach out to our team, and we can best advise you on what needs doing to prevent further damage to your car and get it back on the road fast!
Common Reasons Why Your Car Is Overheating:
- Too little coolant.
- Leaks in your cooling system.
- A broken water pump.
- Radiator issues.
- Oil too low.
- The heater core is plugged up.
- Thermostat failure.
- Issues with the belts and hoses.
Signs Your Car Is Starting to Overheat
Many signs can point toward your engine overheating. Knowing these signs is a great way to stay ahead of the issue and resolve it before any permanent damage is done. With that in mind, if you notice any of the following, you should call our team, and we can schedule an inspection of your car to get ahead of the problem.
- Your Hood Is Hot – This is to be expected and entirely normal while the car is running. Your hood will also remain hot for a period of time after you’ve shut off the engine. However, if it is overly hot, this could be a sign your engine is starting to overheat. An effective way of testing this is by placing your hand on the hood of your car. You should be able to leave your hand there for 10 seconds comfortably.
- Temperature Gauge or Warning Light – Both of these things can be found on your dashboard. Most cars have gauges. However, if yours does not, a warning light will come on to indicate excessive heat. If your car does have a temperature gauge, this will be displayed when the needle is pointed to or close to maximum. However, you can’t always rely on your gauge as it measures the temperature of the coolant, and if you have a coolant leak, it won’t have anything to measure.
- Ticking Noise – If a noticeable and constant ticking noise can be heard coming from your engine, it means your engine oil is failing to lubricate all of the moving parts. This is a sign your engine oil is too hot as it no longer functions how it should. This is a major cause for concern as, at high temperatures, if the mechanical parts of your engine are clacking against each other audibly, they will be experiencing a higher rate of wear and tear than usual.
- Leaking Coolant – If you notice a puddle of coolant under your car when parked, this could indicate a leak in your coolant system. It could also be a sign your engine has overheated and boiled the coolant within the radiator. When this happens, it causes the overflow tank to release excess liquid to relieve the new pressure. In either case, your car’s coolant system will no longer have the appropriate level of coolant flowing through the engine. As a result, your engine will overheat.
- Reduction In The Engine Power – When your engine overheats, it will most likely not be able to deliver the necessary power for your car to move at the rate you want it to. If you feel like your engine’s power is lacking, you should pay attention to any sounds or smells your car could be emitting. You should also keep an eye on your temperate gauge to be sure your car is at an appropriate temperature.
What To Do If Your Car Starts To Overheat
If you notice one or more of the above signs, there is a high chance your engine is overheating. The best thing to do in this situation is to pull over as soon as possible and when safe to do so. By turning off the engine, it will have a chance to cool down naturally. Pulling over and turning off the engine will also prevent any further damage to your car. Most people in this situation will feel the need to lift the hood. However, you should only do so after you’ve given your car time to cool down. This is because you could easily experience burns from escaping steam.
Additionally, it would be best not to touch anything under the hood until the engine has entirely cooled down. Attempting to check the coolant level could also result in a serious burn if your car has experienced a pressure build-up from the excess heat. While waiting for your engine to cool down, you should give us a call. We can better advise you about the steps to take while one of our trusted mechanics makes their way to you.
Trust The Experts at “A” Quality Mobile Service
When you give us a call, we can offer a complete range of auto services from engine repair and replacement to cooling system diagnostics. The best part is we come to you! So no matter where you break down, you can always rely on our expert team. However, it is best to get ahead of these problems to save yourself the stress of breaking down on the side of the road.
That is why our team is here to help. You can reach us by calling (832)-275-8051. Additionally, you can schedule an appointment via our website, and one of our mechanics will perform a routine inspection of your car to ensure everything is running as it should be. Get in touch with “A” Quality Mobile Service today!