What Causes Engine Overheating?

Engine overheating is a very serious condition that, if left unchecked, can cause serious engine damage. What follows is a brief description of some of the most common causes of engine overheating.

Low Coolant Levels

A vehicle that does not have sufficient radiator coolant will overheat. A sufficient amount of radiator coolant and/or water is necessary to keep an engine operating within normal operating temperatures.

Faulty Radiator

As engine coolant circulates throughout an engine, it picks up engine heat and transports it to the radiator, where the heat gets radiated out into the outside atmosphere. A faulty radiator lacks the ability to adequately cool circulating engine coolant; thus, engine temperature increases as engine heat builds up in the circulating engine coolant.

Faulty Thermostat

A normal thermostat opens at a predetermined engine operating temperature and allows engine coolant stored in a car's radiator to begin circulating throughout an engine. A faulty thermostat that does not open blocks engine coolant from reaching and cooling a running engine, thus resulting in engine overheating.

Faulty Water Pump

A water pump pressurizes engine coolant and propels it at high speeds directly into a vehicle's engine and throughout the entire coolant system. A faulty water pump will not pump and/or pressurize engine coolant effectively, thus allowing engine heat to build up in the circulating engine coolant, a process that leads to engine overheating.

Leaky Coolant System

A leaky coolant system results in a loss of circulating engine coolant, a condition that increases engine operating temperature and can lead to overheating. Radiators, radiator hoses, water pumps--all of these coolant system components can develop leaks that allow engine coolant to be depleted and cause engine overheating.