When it comes to your vehicle overheating, the signs can be loud and clear when you have a problem.  You may see a thermometer-shaped warning light come on or a temperature gauge whose needle is pointing in the red zone.  When either of those happen, it’s important to take quick action to avoid serious damage.

An overheating engine usually results when the cooling system can’t remove heat fast enough. Among the most common reasons for overheating is that the amount of coolant in your engine is low. That coolant circulates through your engine, absorbs heat and then heads toward the radiator, where it can get rid of the heat.

So, what causes that coolant to be low? Often there’s a leak somewhere in the system.  The radiator, water pump or the engine block can all develop leaks as can the hoses that carry the coolant from one part to the next.  You can also get leaks when the clamps that connect them fail.

Another part that can go bad is the thermostat, which can cause the engine to heat up quickly. So can a broken water pump. The pump is supposed to keep coolant moving through the system. But when it fails, the coolant isn’t moving and therefore can’t carry heat away from the engine.

Other possible causes of overheating is a clogged radiator or a fan that’s not circulating air through it. Also, don’t forget that the coolant in your vehicle has to have the correct mix of water and antifreeze. 

Why is a cool engine so important? Because heat is your engine’s worst enemy. Having a technician regularly keep an eye on your cooling system can help prevent problems before they start.

Commerce Auto Repair
9575 Commerce Rd.
Commerce, Michigan 48382
248.363.3749

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