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Car Overheating: Causes and What to do

If your car gets overheating, this can cause alarm and concern, as it could mean unexpected expenses.

One of the main symptoms of a vehicle malfunction is smoke coming out of the engine. However, certain other signs may indicate something is wrong with your vehicle.

If you feel your engine warming up when going uphill or under other circumstances, keep reading the article to find out the leading causes and what you can do to solve the problem.

 

Car Overheating Causes

The main reasons for a vehicle engine overheating are:

 

Low Oil Levels

One of the main reasons a car heats up too much is the failure or loss of fluid from the reservoir, which results in a cooling system malfunction.

Check the fluid level to find out if this is the case for your car. But doing it carefully can produce accidents such as burns.

 

Thermostat malfunction

One of the main functions of this component is to dissipate and distribute engine heat. If it stops working, your car will heat up.

If it stops working while your engine is running, the coolant gets blocked and stops circulating, resulting in overheating.

 

Problems in your Cooling System

Failures in the engine cooling system can be why a car heats up, but this can happen for many reasons.

For example, air may have entered the system during an oil change or when the plug was removed from the oil reservoir. If this happens, the temperature sensors stop working properly.

 

Problem with the Water Pump

A water pump “pulls” liquid from the reservoir, causing it to circulate in the engine cooling system.

If it fails, it compromises the vehicle’s temperature control systems. This results in increased part wear and the risk of the car overheating.

 

Radiator Problems

If the fans in the radiator are operating incorrectly, the engine’s ability to reduce its power is compromised. The result is an abnormal rise in temperature.

 

 

What is the Ideal Temperature for a Car Engine?

Engines typically run at between 80°C and 100°C.

If the temperature shown on your dashboard is higher, there is a risk of your engine overheating.

 

How do you Cool your Car Engine Quickly in an Emergency?

If your car engine is too hot, you should act quickly to avoid more severe damage to other components. As such, you should:

  1. Stop your vehicle safely in a location where you can park;
  2. Turn off your engine and open the windows and doors to help cool your vehicle;
  3. Open the hood as soon as your car has cooled down thoroughly;
  4. Inspect the engine and see if there are signs of wear or anomalies in the components;
  5. Call your breakdown cover and ask for instructions on what to do, describing any anomalies you may find.

 

 

Tips to Stop Your Car from Heating Up Too Much

To prevent your car from heating up, you should:

  • Ensure you maintain the right amount of coolant;
  • Add distilled water to the radiator, following your car’s manufacturer’s instructions;
  • Be aware of your car’s thermostat.

 

Which tools are available in the KROFtools Catalogue to Test the Cooling System?

If your car is heating up a lot, it is important that you seek out an experienced mechanic who will be able to detect the anomaly and resolve it as soon as possible.

A cooling system test should be used to help detect anomalies that may be leading to your engine overheating.

The KROFtools catalogue contains cooling tests that will make this task all the easier. Keep reading to find out more.

 

Refrigeration Tester 28PCS

 

 

This test is compatible with several car brands, including Porsche, Jeep, Mercedes Benz, Cadilac, Mini Cooper, Lexus, and Subaru, and allows you to test for leaks in the cooling system.

Click on the image to find out more about our Refrigeration Tester 28PCS (ref. 2514).

 

Refrigeration Tester 33PCS

 

 

This cooling system test has 30 adapters, a manual pump with a graduated pressure gauge, and a pressure release button.

It is used to test the radiator pressure and any leaks in the radiator caps of cars produced by various manufacturers.

Click on the image to find out more about our Refrigeration Tester 33PCS  (ref. 2516).

 

Universal Radiator Pressure Tester & Vacuum Type Cooling System

 

 

This test has a colour-coded radiator test cap, making it easier to identify the cap to be tested, fitting most radiator pressure caps.

Click on the image to find out more about our Universal Radiator Pressure Tester & Vacuum Type Cooling System (ref. 2517).

 

5PCS Universal Cooling System Pressure Test Kit

 

 

This kit comes with 4 adapters, which can replace the plug caps and adapt to a wide range of vehicles.

It also uses a universal cone adapter system to seal and pressurise the cooling system, and a manual pump with a pressure gauge for simple, easy-to-control tests.

Click on the image to find out more about our  5PCS Universal Cooling System Pressure Test Kit (ref. 2518).

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