How Does a Car Engine Over Heat?

Lack of Water

The most common reason for a car engine to overheat is a lack of water. An engine needs an ample supply of circulating water to operate efficiently and to prevent overheating, which can seriously damage a car's engine.

Faulty Water Pump

A water pump is responsible for circulating water throughout the engine and radiator. When a water pump is faulty or not functioning properly, the flow of water throughout a car's engine is disrupted. This can lead to inadequate cooling and heat transfer within the engine, and this can lead to overheating.

Stuck Thermostat

An engine thermostat, which is a heat-sensitive valve located on the top of the engine, is responsible for regulating the flow of water into, and out of, a car's engine. Many times a faulty thermostat will stick, either in the open or closed position, and this can prevent water from circulating into the engine when needed. A faulty thermostat is a major cause of an engine overheating and can lead to costly repairs.

Faulty Radiator

A car's radiator is responsible for cooling, or "radiating," the heat in the circulating water and dumping it into the outside air. As water circulates through a running engine, the water picks up the heat from the metal of the engine and transports it to the radiator where it gets radiated. A faulty radiator can either leak, causing a low water level, or it can lose its ability to cool water circulating through it. Either case can cause engine overheating.