| A vehicle's engine can overheat due to a | | | | designed to make the fan spin fast enough to |
| problem or combination of problems which | | | | cool the engine as needed and decrease at |
| inhibit or impair its ability to maintain an | | | | times when the fan is not needed. The fan's |
| appropriate operating temperature. Continuing | | | | clutch fluid helps regulate this process, and |
| to drive a vehicle that is overheating will | | | | its leakage or deterioration is a common |
| cause serious damage to the engine and can | | | | cause of overheating. A fan should be checked |
| cause chain reaction damage to other | | | | and possibly replaced if it wobbles or spins |
| components that are vital to engine function. | | | | easily when pushed or if there are signs of a |
| If your temperature warning light comes on or | | | | fluid leak around it. |
| the temperature gauge begins rising toward | | | | |
| "hot," it is important to pull over | | | | â-ªDamaged Belts and Hoses: The |
| immediately and turn off the engine. Never | | | | condition of belts and hoses should be |
| attempt to open or touch a radiator | | | | periodically checked for quality and secure |
| immediately after an engine has overheated to | | | | connections. Belt slippage may prevent proper |
| prevent burns and injuries to you. While some | | | | water pump operation or interfere with fan |
| engine damage has likely been done at this | | | | performance, leading to overheating. |
| point, turning off the engine right away can | | | | |
| prevent further harm. Some potential causes | | | | â-ªRadiator Clogs: After engine coolant |
| for engine overheating are addressed below. | | | | or antifreeze (mixed with water) absorbs the |
| | | | heat that has been created by the engine, the |
| â-ªCoolant Loss: Engine coolant, a | | | | radiator cools it before returning it to the |
| broad term commonly used interchangeably with | | | | engine. Radiator clogs, which can be caused |
| the more specific term anti-freeze, helps | | | | by intake of debris, bugs and dirt, may block |
| regulate a vehicle's engine temperature, | | | | airflow and reduce the radiator's ability to |
| serving purposes such as preventing | | | | disperse heat as it should, impairing its |
| overheating, preventing freezing and | | | | cooling ability. A clogged radiator can |
| hindering corrosion. A coolant leak is a very | | | | possibly be removed and cleaned but may need |
| common cause of engine overheating, and can | | | | an overall replacement. |
| happen in a number of areas. Hoses, water | | | | |
| pumps, the radiator, head gaskets and | | | | If your vehicle has overheated, the |
| cylinder heads are just a few of the areas | | | | thermometer likely incurred damage in the |
| that should be considered when checking for | | | | process and should be tested for proper |
| coolant leaks. | | | | functioning and potentially replaced after |
| | | | other repairs are complete. Periodic |
| â-ªFan Issues: The fan situated between | | | | evaluation of a vehicle's cooling system for |
| the radiator and the engine is an important | | | | undue wear, fluid leaks, belt and hose |
| component to a vehicle's cooling system, | | | | condition and clogs can help identify issues |
| pulling outside air in to regulate | | | | before the true problem of overheating |
| temperature. Mechanical fans incorporate a | | | | occurs. |
| mechanism called a fan clutch, which is | | | | |