The radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, thermostat, and seals and gaskets are the most common parts in the cooling system that develop leaks. If you make certain to have your cooling system inspected every 30,000 miles, we can catch a leak before it becomes a huge problem. This gives us the opportunity to replace the leaking part so your engine does not overheat. Leaking coolant is a common cause of an overheating engine. Here are other things that will make the engine overheat while it is running.
Clogged System
Your cooling system can also get clogged, which is why it should be serviced every 30,000 miles. During the cooling system service, the system is flushed to remove any grime that has built up inside of it. This includes flushing the radiator to make sure it does not have any corrosion at the bottom of it.
If your cooling system is clogged, the coolant will not circulate throughout the entire engine. Consequently, the portion of the engine that is starved of coolant will get too hot. This heat will transfer throughout the engine and cause the engine to overheat while you are driving.
Faulty Water Pump
Another common problem that can make your engine overheat is a faulty water pump. If you think of the water pump as a heart, you understand that it circulates the coolant through the engine just like your heart circulates your blood through your body. If the water pump is malfunctioning, this will affect the circulation. Consequently, your engine may get too hot because it does not have enough coolant moving through it to reduce the temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Faulty Thermostat
The water pump relies on the thermostat in order to receive the coolant. The thermostat keeps track of the engine’s temperature so it can release the coolant when the engine starts to get too hot. The thermostat generally gives you 10 years of perfect service. After this period, it may start to malfunction and be unable to read the engine’s temperature. This will cause it to fail to release the coolant.
Radiator Trouble
Finally, the radiator is the heart of your cooling system in a figurative sense. It does not circulate the coolant but it does store it to keep it cold so it can keep your engine operating at a normal temperature. If your radiator is clogged, leaking, or damaged, it may not be able to reduce the coolant’s temperature. Consequently, the hot coolant will overheat your engine.
