Your car has just overheated, and you’re unsure what to do. You may be tempted to pour a jug of cold water over the engine to cool it down fast, but this could do more harm than good.
If your engine is still hot, don’t pour cold water on it. Pouring cold water on a hot engine can cause serious damage. Instead, let the engine cool down on its own or use a coolant to help speed up the process.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the coolant container, as some coolants need to be diluted before use. Once you’ve added the coolant, turn on the car’s heater to help circulate it through the engine.
To know more about how to fix engine overheating issues, keep scrolling!
9 Reasons Why Is My Car Overheating
Bad Coolant Circulation
One of the most common reasons a car overheats is bad coolant circulation. It can be due to several things, such as a faulty water pump, a radiator that isn’t functioning properly, or even just a build-up of debris inside the cooling system.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
A failed thermostat is one of the most common reasons for an overheated engine. This vital component regulates the flow of coolant through your engine; if it fails, it can quickly overheat.
Low Oil Level
Another potential cause of an overheated engine is a low oil level. This can happen if you forget to check your oil regularly or if you’re burning oil faster than usual due to a leak or other problem. Regardless of the reason, if your engine doesn’t have enough oil, it will overheat quickly.
Damaged Radiator
Another common reason why cars might overheat is due to a damaged radiator. If the radiator is defective, this can prevent proper engine cooling and lead to overheating.
Check Out Water vs Coolant Temperature Test. Which One is Better:
Debris in the Cooling System
In addition to a damaged radiator, the cooling system’s debris can cause your car to overheat. This debris could be anything from leaves and dirt to rust and scale, and it can prevent proper coolant circulation.
Blocked Air Inlet to Radiator
If the air inlet to the radiator is blocked, this can also cause overheating. This blockage could be caused by anything from a build-up of insects and dirt to a piece of debris lodged in the inlet.
Malfunctioning Cooling Fan
If any of the electrical parts in your cooling system aren’t working properly, your engine can overheat very quickly. This is especially true if you’ve recently had a breakdown or other electrical issue that could have damaged some of these components.
The hose Needs to Be Replaced
One of the most common reasons hoses need to be replaced is because they’ve become brittle and cracked from age and heat. If a hose leaks or is damaged, it can cause your car to overheat.
Foreign Objects
If something falls into your radiator or engine block, it can cause major damage, possibly leading to an overheated engine. This is especially true for larger objects like leaves or stones, which can block the coolant flow and cause the engine to overheat.
Note: Do not open the headcap immediately if your car is overheating. The pressure inside the radiator can cause hot coolant and steam to spew out, which can scald you. It’s best to wait until the engine has cooled down before opening the cap.
What to Do When Engine Overheats?
When your engine starts to overheat, there are a few important steps that you should take to prevent further damage and keep yourself safe.
Pull Over
As soon as you notice your engine is overheating, pull over to the side of the road ASAP. It’ll give you more space to safely assess the situation and reduce the risk of causing a traffic accident.
Open The Hood
Next, you will want to open the hood of your car to check for any leaks in the cooling system. If you see any coolant on the ground, there is likely a leak in the system.
Check the Cooling System For Any Leaks
Once you have confirmed a leak in the cooling system, it is crucial to get the car to a mechanic immediately. Otherwise, the engine would overheat even further and cause severe damage. However, with proper care and attention, your engine should be back to running smoothly.
Note: Tap water can cause engine damage by rusting or seizing internal components. In addition, water can also cause electrical problems by shortening out wires and sensors.
How to Prevent Car From Overheating?
Check Temperature Gauge
A temperature gauge is an essential tool for your car that allows you to detect any signs of overheating. Overheating can cause serious damage to your engine. When the temperature gauge shows hot, you should pull over immediately and let the car cool down.
Check Coolant Level Regularly
When you take your car in for regular maintenance, the mechanic will likely tell you to check the coolant level. They can quickly drop due to overuse and other environmental factors. If the coolant is low, it won’t be able to adequately reject heat from the engine, which can lead to overheating. If your car’s coolant level is low, add more coolant until it reaches the “full” line.
Check Radiator Cap for Damage
A radiator cap is a vital component that helps to keep your car from overheating. You must regularly check your radiator cap for any damage, wear, or breakage. If your radiator cap suffers damage in any way, you should replace it right away to avoid further inconvenience.
Periodic Radiator Flushing
Periodic radiator flushing is a preventative maintenance procedure that helps keep your car from overheating. Over time, the coolant in your radiator can become contaminated, which reduces the efficiency of your cooling system. By flushing your radiator regularly, you can keep it functioning optimally to avoid overheating problems.
Check for Coolant Leaks Underneath
If you notice your car overheating, there’s a good chance it’s due to coolant leaks underneath the vehicle. Coolant leaks typically happen when the car starts to seep out of a leaky hose or cracked rubber boot. Coolant leaks can be particularly dangerous because they cause your car to overheat, and coolant burns badly.
Turn Off the AC to Reduce the Engine Load
If your car overheats, turning off the air conditioning is one way to reduce the engine load. It will reduce the amount of work the engine has to do and can prevent the car from overheating. The engine powers AC compressors and can put a lot of strain on the engine. Turning off the Air conditioner will reduce this strain and prevent your car from overheating.
FAQs
How long before the engine cools down?
Engines operate at very high temperatures, so they need time to cool down before the next use. For most engines, this takes about 30 minutes. However, some engines may take up to an hour to cool down completely.
If you’re unsure how long your engine can cool down, consult your vehicle owner’s manual. If you have an older engine that isn’t cooling down, take it to the mechanic to keep the engine cooled and running smoothly.
Can a water pump lead to overheating?
If your water pump is causing overheating, it’s not providing enough water pressure for the car to run efficiently. In addition, some pumps may be defective and require replacement. Finally, there may be a problem with your car’s cooling system, making the water pump work harder and overheating the engine.
How Do I Quickly Cool My Engine?
When your engine overheats, cooling it down as quickly as possible is important. You can do a few things to help cool down your engine fast.
– First, turn off the engine and let it sit for a few minutes. This will allow the heat to dissipate to a certain extent.
– Next, you can add coolant or water to your radiator to help reduce the engine’s temperature. If possible, open the hood and let
some airflow over the engine.
– Finally, if you can access a hose, spray water onto your engine to cool it down even faster.
How Can You Spot an Overheated Engine?
If your engine has overheated, there are a few things you can look for to tell.
– First, check the temperature gauge on your dash. If it’s reading higher than normal, that’s a good sign that your engine is running hot.
– You can also check the radiator itself. If it’s extremely hot to the touch, that’s another sign that your engine is overheating.
– Finally, check under the hood for any signs of leaking coolant. If you see any, that’s another sign that your engine is overheating.
How Can I Tell If My Water Pump Is Bad?
If your car’s water pump is going bad, there are a few signs you can look for.
– The most common symptom of a failing water pump is overheating. If your car becomes hot, especially when driving at high speeds,
you must check the water pump.
– Another symptom is squealing noises coming from the front of your engine when you’re idling or driving at low speeds. The noise
doesn’t always mean that your water pump is bad, but it’s a good sign that something is wrong.
Final Considerations
It may be tempting to pour water over an overheated engine, but it is not recommended. The best way to cool down an overheated engine is by driving slowly and steadily to the nearest service station. If you cannot do this, wait until the car has completely cooled down before attempting to start it again.
