Understanding the Basics of Engine Overheating

Owning a car comes with plenty of responsibilities, especially on the maintenance and repair front. One thing that can be overwhelming and sometimes complicated is dealing with engine overheating.  

What Causes Engine Overheating?

There can be various causes for engine overheating, such as cooling system malfunctions, leaks, broken water pumps, or fan issues. These problems in a car, if not addressed, can lead to damaging and costly repairs. 

Signs of Engine Overheating

These are signs that your engine is overheating: 

• Steam or smoke coming from the hood 
• Engine gauge indicates H or is in the red zone
• Leaking or dripping 
• Burning smell 
• Broken water pump 

Though there are other signs of an engine overheating, these are common and often signal that a car's engine may be overheating. 

It is essential that the moment you notice any of the following with your engine, you address it with your mechanic or a car specialist. 

How Engine Overheating Impacts Your Car 

An engine that overheats and that is not adequately addressed can explore the overall functionality of your vehicle. One specific problem that comes from an overheated engine is that the engine parts such as the seals and gaskets could get ruined. These parts are designed to handle a specific amount of heat exposure; however, when an engine or car overheats above normal, this can wear the equipment of the car engine. 

Another impact of overheating on a car is the expansion of and pressure build-up of the gasket. Having to repair a gasket in a car is costly and time-consuming as it requires the entire part of the gasket to be removed for repair. The cylinder's expansion can result in parts that are typically containing oils and coolants to contaminate or affect other parts of an engine. Cross-contamination can be a very dangerous thing when a car's engine overheats. 

Imagine driving down the highway and smoke starts coming from your hood, or worse yet, your car automatically comes to a halt. Your car stopping or dying instead is a significant result of an engine overheating. The reason for a car coming to a stop is that it is the car's way of preventing any further damage, or worse, a small or dangerous explosion. To cool down, the vehicle is going to stop the cause of the heat, which is to shut down. 

A car that has experienced an overheated engine can not fully operate until the engine has cooled down. 

Steps to Take When a Car Engine Overheats

If your car overheats, it is recommended you take the following steps: 

1. If you are still driving and smoke or steam starts rising, pull over to a safe location immediately. 
2. Shut the car off to allow it to cool down. 
3. Roll down the windows, pop the hood open to allow for the heat built up inside the engine to release. 
4. Wait approximately 30 minutes or more to ensure the engine has come down from the heat; afterward, remove the radiator cap. You must wait before doing this; do not do it after pulling over as it can lead to sustaining injuries. 
5. Ensure your car has coolant; if not, add some. 
6. Check to see if there are any leaks or drippings where the car has parked. 
7. Bring the car to a mechanic or a repairman who can help identify and repair the cause of the engine overheating. 

Helpful Tips to Prevent Engine Overheating

Depending on your car model and year, there may be certain repairs that have to become routine to prevent overheating; however, certain practices that car owners can do can mitigate overheating. 

Maintaining coolant levels – Regularly check the coolant levels of your car can help prevent overheating. Before you begin adding coolants, it is essential to consider the types of coolants on the market. Some coolants may work better than others. On top of ensuring your car is not low on coolant, routinely flushing the cooling out and replacing it can help the car as well.

Radiator – Over time, the radiator can accumulate debris. If the waste is not removed or cleared from the radiator, it can lead to the cooling not functioning correctly. Routinely checking the radiator can ensure no blocking of airflow. 

Drive Belt – To ensure the coolant is circulated throughout, this requires the drive belt. If the drive belt is damaged, either through normal wear and tear or unaddressed overheating, it can lead to a lack of coolant circulation. Having your drive belt checked for any cracks or breaks is a useful preventive measure. 

Don't Wait for the Heat to Come

When it comes to your car, you want to ensure its longevity, and to do so, you can find all your car needs at PartsMax. From coolants to gaskets, drive belts, and more, Parts Max is serving the Florida residents and businesses.