Explore our comprehensive guide on engine overheating. Find effective prevention methods and troubleshooting tips to keep your vehicle in optimal condition.

Cause Overheating Car and it remedy

Coolant level is low: When coolant levels are low, an engine loses its ability to regulate temperature effectively, risking overheating. This could result from leaks in the radiator, hoses, or water pump. If left unaddressed, low coolant can lead to engine damage. Regularly checking and topping up coolant helps prevent these issues.

The air passage to the radiator is blocked: A blocked air passage to the radiator prevents proper airflow, reducing the radiator’s ability to cool the engine. Debris, dirt, or even a damaged grille can obstruct airflow, causing the engine temperature to rise. Regularly clearing debris from the radiator and grille ensures effective cooling and helps prevent overheating.

Ignition timing is not correct: Incorrect ignition timing means the spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture either too early or too late in the engine cycle. This disrupts engine’s higher temperatures, which may lead to overheating. Proper timing adjustments ensure efficient combustion, better fuel economy, and prevent engine damage.

Engine lube oil level is low: Low engine lube oil levels reduce lubrication for moving engine parts, increasing friction and heat, which can lead to overheating engine

Valve timing is not correct: Incorrect valve timing means the engine’s intake and exhaust valves open and close at the wrong times, disrupting the fuel-air mixture flow. This leads to reduced power, inefficient combustion, increased emissions, and potential overheating.

Over flow tube is blocked: A blocked overflow tube prevents excess coolant from leaving the radiator, causing pressure to build up in the cooling system. This can lead to leaks, overheating, or even radiator damage. Clearing or replacing a clogged overflow tube allows proper coolant flow, helping to regulate engine temperature and prevent overheating.

Radiator pressure cap defective: A defective radiator pressure cap cannot maintain the correct pressure in the cooling system, leading to coolant loss, reduced boiling point, and potential overheating. This can cause the engine to run hot and risk damage. Replacing a faulty cap ensures proper pressure, improves cooling efficiency, and prevents engine overheating issues

Heat control valve stuck: A stuck heat control valve disrupts coolant flow to the heater core, causing ineffective temperature regulation in the engine and cabin. This can lead to engine overheating or insufficient cabin heat. Regularly checking and maintaining the valve ensures proper coolant circulation, stabilizes engine temperature, and enhances comfort in colder weather

Brakes dragging on the brake drum: Dragging brakes on the brake drum create constant friction, causing excessive heat buildup in the braking system and increased wear on brake components. This can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, overheating, and even break failure. Proper brake adjustment and regular maintenance prevent dragging, ensuring safer, more efficient vehicle operation.

Engine runs long in idle condition: When an engine runs too long in idle condition, it can overheat due to insufficient airflow and coolant circulation.

Coolant has frozen: Frozen coolant prevents proper circulation through the engine, causing overheating and potential damage to the radiator, water pump, and engine block. This typically occurs in cold temperatures if the coolant mixture is too weak. Ensuring the correct antifreeze-to-water ratio helps prevent freezing and maintains effective engine cooling during winter.

Some preventive action of  avoid car overheating

Cooling System Flushing:

In the cooling system, hot and cold water circulate at the start of the engine. The impurities in the water create a layer on the parts of the cooling system. This coating reduces the heat transfer and dissipation capacity of the cooling system, which is detrimental to the engine. The process of removing impurities from the cooling system components is called “cooling system flushing.” Flushing or cleaning is done in two ways in the cooling system:

1. Radiator flushing
2. Water jacket flushing

Both methods are used to remove accumulated adhesive insulation from the radiator and water jacket.

Types of flushing are further classified into two categories:

(a) Straight flushing
(b) Reverse flushing

1. Radiator Flushing:

For straight flushing, you have to connect a hosepipe to the upper reservoir and another hosepipe to the lower reservoir. Then, the flushing gun must be attached to the upper nozzle. One tube of the flushing gun is connected to the water source, and the other tube is connected to the high-pressure air supply. Reverse flushing should be done for a little more time after forward flushing. This will remove all the accumulated glue and floating dirt from the cooling system parts.

Water Jacket Flushing: To remove sticky dirt and deposits from the water jacket, run the engine at idle speed with hot water mixed with soda in the water jacket for 5 minutes. Running the engine like this for 30 minutes will loosen the sticky dirt when it is hot. The flushing gun is connected to the upper hose, and the lower hose is opened. As a result, dirty water will forcefully flow out of the water jacket through the open drain plug. This method is called the straight flushing method. When the flushing gun is connected to the lower hose, and pressurized water and compressed air flow through, the process is called the reverse flushing process.

After using the first 30-minute method followed by the 5-minute process 2 to 3 times, the engine jacket and radiator water flow holes will be completely clean.

Abstain from Pouring Water into an Overheated Engine

As the cooling water of an overheated engine evaporates, opening the pressurized valve and pouring water into the radiator may cause the following reactions:

1. Evaporating water from the water jacket can splash into the eyes, face, and hands, leading to accidents.
2. Cold water in a hot engine can cause cracks in the radiator, water jacket, etc.
3. The radiator can be damaged by twisting.
4. The pressurized radiator cap may be damaged.
5. The thermostat valve may be damaged.
6. Hose pipes can burst and leak.
7. Components, including the cylinder head, may crack.
8. Ultimately, the engine’s cooling system may become useless.

For this reason, never pour cold water into the radiator of a hot engine.