Your automobile has a temperature gauge. While most of us know what this gauge is, we do not pay much attention to it. Fortunately, it is not something you really need to watch, unless you see that the gauge is indicating that your car is starting to run hot. When this happens, your car may be overheating. If you continue to drive your car while it is overheating, you can sustain engine damage that can be costly and time consuming to repair. If this happens to you, you will want to pull over and have your car towed to an auto repair shop. Here are a few common reasons why your car may be overheating.
There Are Issues With Your Car’s Coolant System
One of the most common reasons why an automobile may overheat is because there are issues with the car’s internal coolant system. The internal coolant system, also sometimes referred to as the internal cooling system, helps to carry coolant from the radiator to the engine where it needs to go. Problems with the internal cooling system may include a blockage or hole in one of the hoses that carries the coolant, a coolant leak, or having the wrong mixture of water and coolant in your vehicle. If you are running low on coolant, your car may also overheat.
There Are Problems With Your Radiator
Another common reason why your car may overheat is because there are issues with your radiator. Your radiator houses the coolant and is primarily responsible for cooling the engine. Common problems with a radiator that can cause your car to overheat include cracks in the radiator or the fans in the radiator not blowing properly. In turn, this heats up the radiator and does not allow it to cool the engine as it is designed to do. A cracked or failing radiator must be replaced to solve the issue.
You Have a Broken Water Pump
The final common reason why your automobile may overheat is because you have a broken water pump. Many water pumps simply fail due to age and wear and tear. The water pump is a small pump that helps to push or pump water out of the radiator, into the coolant system, where the fluid can reach the engine. If the pump is failing or not working, coolant may not be pushing from the radiator out to the engine, and ultimately, it can cause your engine to overheat. Replacing the water pump is the only way to solve this issue.
If your car is overheating, you want to determine why it is overheating and solve the issue to prevent it from overheating. A car repair shop is the best place to bring your car to be inspected and repaired. Here at Morgan Automotive Repair with locations in Tracy, Manteca, Stockton and a new Sacramento location opening soon, we can help you with all of your auto repair needs. Call us today and let’s take a look at your vehicle.