Hello, my name is Roy. For many years, I drove a 1976 Ford estate car around Sydney. The car had belonged to my grandpa. It was passed down to me when I had just passed my driving test at the age of 18. That was in 1986 and the car was already in a pretty bad condition then. Fast forward to 2006 and I was now aged 38 and still driving the same car around. Sometimes the car wouldn't start, white smoke came out of the exhaust and the gearbox made a terrible sound. I did my best to patch it up, but eventually, I had to scrap the car and buy a new one. I decided to start a blog to encourage others to service their cars.
Almost every part of your car can malfunction and cause trouble. Consequently, it's difficult to come up with an exhaustive list of car problems that you may face throughout the life of your car. However, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the most common problems that car mechanics see every day when clients bring in their cars for repair service.
An overheating engine is one of the most dreadful and worrisome car repair issues that you may have. If you drive a modern car, you'll often see the temperature warning light on your dash come on when your engine is running too hot. If you have an older ride, watch out for the check-engine warning symbol. Some signs of engine overheating are common to all cars, no matter the model. For example, you may see steam coming from the front of your vehicle or simply feel the heat.
Multiple factors can lead to engine overheating. Highlighted below are some of the most likely culprits behind the problem.
Loss of engine coolant
Your car relies on an engine coolant to absorb the heat generated by the engine and then dissipate it outside. For your engine's cooling system to operate effectively, the proper levels of coolant should be maintained.
If coolant levels fall below the vehicle manufacturer's instructions, engine overheating is bound to happen. Before replenishing the coolant level, make sure you get your engine checked for potential leaks.
A low coolant level is an indication of potential leaks in the cooling system.
Faulty radiator fan
The radiator fan helps to reduce the temperature of the hot coolant circulating within the radiator by blowing cool air over the radiator. This helps to reduce engine operating temperatures.
If your car's radiator fan isn't working, it will reduce the radiator's ability to pull the heat out. As a result, your engine may overheat.
Bad thermostat
Your car's engine has a thermostat just like the one connected to your home's heating and cooling systems. The only difference is that it regulates your engine's operating temperature rather than your home's indoor temperatures.
If this thermostat breaks, it may result in incorrect temperature gauge readings and eventually lead to engine overheating.
No matter the cause of engine overheating, it's important to get the problem checked and repaired quickly and properly. Engine overheating is one of those car repair issues that warrant an immediate trip to the car mechanic shop. Contact a company like a BMW service shop to learn more.
Share29 April 2021
