What Causes Engine Overheating?
Engine overheating is a very serious condition that, if left unchecked, can cause serious engine damage. What follows is a brief description of some of the most common causes of engine overheating.
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Low Coolant Levels
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A vehicle that does not have sufficient radiator coolant will overheat. A sufficient amount of radiator coolant and/or water is necessary to keep an engine operating within normal operating temperatures.
Faulty Radiator
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As engine coolant circulates throughout an engine, it picks up engine heat and transports it to the radiator, where the heat gets radiated out into the outside atmosphere. A faulty radiator lacks the ability to adequately cool circulating engine coolant; thus, engine temperature increases as engine heat builds up in the circulating engine coolant.
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Faulty Thermostat
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A normal thermostat opens at a predetermined engine operating temperature and allows engine coolant stored in a car's radiator to begin circulating throughout an engine. A faulty thermostat that does not open blocks engine coolant from reaching and cooling a running engine, thus resulting in engine overheating.
Faulty Water Pump
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A water pump pressurizes engine coolant and propels it at high speeds directly into a vehicle's engine and throughout the entire coolant system. A faulty water pump will not pump and/or pressurize engine coolant effectively, thus allowing engine heat to build up in the circulating engine coolant, a process that leads to engine overheating.
Leaky Coolant System
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A leaky coolant system results in a loss of circulating engine coolant, a condition that increases engine operating temperature and can lead to overheating. Radiators, radiator hoses, water pumps--all of these coolant system components can develop leaks that allow engine coolant to be depleted and cause engine overheating.
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