It’s no secret that your car engine gets hot, with normal operating temperatures averaging around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Although your engine is designed to perform under these conditions, an issue with a single component can make the difference between ‘hot’ and ‘too hot’. Without further ado, here are the top 5 reasons a car can overheat.

Your Water Pump Is Leaking Or Bad

Your water pump is an essential part of your engine’s internal cooling system, moving water throughout your engine to help keep components at a normal temperature. A bad water pump won’t pump water effectively, if at all, meaning your engine parts can’t cool down normally.

A leaking pump will drain water out of your cooling system over time and needs to be diagnosed by a mechanic.

Your Thermostat Isn’t Working Properly

The main function of your engine thermostat is to release additional coolant to your engine to help keep temperatures normal. This is especially useful when your engine is working hard in hot conditions.

When your thermostat isn’t working properly, such as getting stuck in the ‘closed’ position, it isn’t able to release coolant into your engine as it starts to warm. The end result? An overheating engine.

Your Radiator Isn’t Doing Its Job

Your radiator cools down engine coolant as it passes through this component. The biggest culprit here typically relates to the radiator fan. If the fan is broken or has a faulty connection to your onboard computer, it won’t effectively keep your coolant at a normal temperature.

If you aren’t comfortable diagnosing this problem yourself, a mechanic can help.

A Hose Or Belt Is Loose Or Broken

Your engine is full of hoses and belts, and your cooling system is no exception. Hoses pump fluids such as coolant throughout your engine, while belts make sure that components have the power to operate normally. As such, a leak or loose belt is another one of the reasons a car can overheat.

Your Coolant Is Low

Your coolant, as the name suggests, is designed to help keep your car running at a normal temperature. It’s typically neon green and smells sweet and should be kept away from children and pets.

Low coolant can sometimes cause your engine temperatures to rise. Fortunately, this problem is an easy one to fix. Simply go to your local auto supply store, purchase some coolant, wait for your engine to cool, then add coolant up to the level recommended in your user’s manual.

If topping your car’s coolant tank off doesn’t help, then there may be a problem within your coolant system, such as a blockage or a leak. You’ll need to visit a mechanic to get these issues repaired.

Fix All Of The Reasons A Car Can Overheat T3 Atlanta

When your car overheats, it can damage your engine and compound repair costs. In a worst case scenario, your engine can seize up and require extensive repairs. That’s why if you see your car overheating, it’s important to pull over immediately and turn off your car to prevent damage to your engine. Then, have your car towed to T3 Atlanta for fast and friendly repairs. We’ll find the cause of your engine woes and get you back on the road in no time.