Engines overheat for many reasons. Sometimes it's as simple as overuse during stop-and-go traffic in warm-to-hot weather. Our Ruxer Truck Center service techs briefly explain other common causes of engine overheating.
Cooling System Breakdown
Aptly named, a car's cooling system keeps the car's components cool, namely the engine. The system entails a water pump that continuously circulates liquid coolant throughout the engine, entering and cooling the engine proper in special hollows called engine jackets.
Contaminated Coolant
Structural breakdowns in the engine's cylinder head or head gasket can lead to coolant contamination. Engine oil or automatic transmission fluid are the usual suspects that contaminate coolant. Contaminated coolant, incompatible coolant or a mixture of different coolant types all prevent the coolant from working properly. Engine overheating is inevitable under these circumstances.
Fan System Failure
Car fans maximize airflow via the air intake at the front of the car. The air intake cools the engine block and heads as well as the radiator hoses that shuttle warmed liquid coolant out of the engine's interior. A compromised or failing fan system prevents the proper cooling of liquid coolant, allowing heat to collect within the engine.