What Causes a Car to Overheat?

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