Overheating engines can lead to permanent damage and costly replacements if corrective actions aren’t taken. When a vehicle’s motor generates heat well above normal temperatures, the cooling system begins to fail, and the engine overheats. Thankfully, this can be avoided with the right preventive measures.
What does the cooling system do?
To avoid the risk of overheating your engine, it’s important to understand the role of the cooling system in your vehicle. The cooling system maintains a standard operating temperature by circulating coolants through the engine to the radiator. This effectively takes heat away from the engine and cycles through as the vehicle is running.
With the cooling system having such a significant impact on the engine, it’s important to follow a service schedule with your Weelborg dealership and replace damaged parts immediately to prevent overheating and other problems.
Common reasons why an engine overheats
- Too little or no coolant - This is one of the top problems of overheating engines. Always make sure coolant levels are topped off as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re using a new brand or you’re unsure what coolant brand is currently in the vehicle, the coolant must be flushed and drained completely before you add a fresh batch of coolant.
- Coolant leaks - Coolant leaks are easy to detect. Depending on the type of coolant, it may be green, blue or orange in colour and typically smells sweet. To avoid this issue, periodically check hoses for any damages and bubbling.
- Low oil levels - Oil helps control a vehicle’s overall temperature, and when oil levels become too low, this can cause a spike in engine temperature. Always keep up with routine servicing, which includes oil and filter changes.
- Radiator fan issues - The radiator fans help reduce heat, and when these are not working properly, engine temperature increases.
- Damaged water pump - The water pump circulates the coolant through the engine. If this component is damaged, the coolant cannot move through the pump which can lead to overheating engines. Additionally, coolant can have too much build-up, making it difficult to move through the pump - one of the reasons why draining the coolant and replacing it with fresh coolant is important.
- Broken thermostat - The vehicle's thermostat controls fluid temperatures. When this is broken, coolant doesn't flow from the radiator which causes the vehicle to overheat. A telltale sign of a failing thermostat is when the engine temperature is inconsistent.
- Plugged heater core - The heater core is a small version of the radiator and consists of small tubes to circulate coolant through. Some of the symptoms of a clogged heater core include a sweet smell through the vehicle and a cold vehicle but the temperature gauge displays that the engine is hot.
Prevent an overheating engine
Although today’s engines are more durable, overheating engines do happen. The best way to prevent this is to keep up with routine maintenance and never ignore even the smallest issues, including strange noises, smells, and decreased performance.
The Certified Service experts at Weelborg Chevrolet Buick of Glencoe know precisely which parts your Chevrolet car, truck, or SUV needs. Schedule a service appointment with us today