When a vehicle overheats it can stall out or breakdown and even damage your engine. When a vehicle begins to overheat you will notice two indicators. One is that the temperature gauge will rise into the red or hot zone and the other is the “check engine” light which will turn on. This could mean a few different things. Some vehicles will give an extra indicator with the “check engine” sign. However, another strong indicator that your vehicle is overheating is if you see smoke or steam coming out from underneath the under the hood. Priceless Towing will share what causes a vehicle to overheat.
Troubleshooting Car Overheating Causes
Coolant Leaks – Occasionally the coolant line could have a leak which is a common cause for overheating. If you’ve noticed your temperature gauge is rising, check your coolant levels. If your vehicle’s coolant level is low, you will need to refill it before continuing to run the vehicle. You can use water if you’re in an emergency situation or seek out roadside assistance. Additionally, determine the cause or source of the leak or coolant loss.
Late Timing – If the ignition system has a malfunction, it too can cause overheating. When you start your vehicle, the spark plugs fire. This causes the pistons to go up and down until it reaches the stroking point. This action adds air and fuel together which is how your vehicle runs. If the pistons don’t fire correctly or has late timing, this will cause heat to build up and lead to overheating. This issue can be detected with an electronic diagnostic test.
Plugged Radiator – The coolant needs to pass through the radiator to get to the rest of the engines components. Sometimes the radiator can get plugged which restricts the coolant form reaching the rest of the engine and will result in overheating. If your coolant levels are fine and your vehicle is overheating, your next step will be to check for clogs in the radiator.
Slipping Accessory Belt – The Accessory belt is part of the water pump that drives the water and helps keep the engine cool. Over time, the belt can become loose or stretched out which results in poor efficiency and overheating. You can check the belt by pulling on it. If the belt lifts more then a ½ inch it is too loose and mostly like the cause of your overheating.
Radiator Hose Collapses – Occasionally the bottom hose of the radiator can collapse. The collapse is caused by a vacuum like suction from the water pump. If the hose collapses the coolant is restricted which results in poor circulation and of course, overheating. You can see when a radiator hose has collapsed. If the hose has collapsed, you need to replace it.
Low Oil – The oil helps to lubricate the moving parts of the engine, along with removing up to 75% to 80% of the wasted heat. If your vehicle is overheating, be sure to check the oil along with the coolant and accessory belt for the cause of the overheating.
Towing, Emergency Roadside Assistance Services & More in Summerlin, North LV, Henderson & Las Vegas, Nevada
If your vehicle has overheated, and you need roadside assistance or towing, contact Priceless Towing. We can help you when your vehicle overheats. For all of your towing or roadside assistance needs, contact Priceless Towing today.
