Engine overheating is a fairly common problem that, if severe, can seriously damage a vehicle's engine. Although the potential causes of engine overheating are numerous, there are a handful of causes that are exceedingly common. What follows is a brief list of the most common reasons why a car overheats.
An engine thermostat controls the flow of radiator fluid into a vehicle's engine. A bad thermostat, especially one that fails to open, can prevent radiator fluid from entering (and cooling) a running engine, which can cause an engine to overheat.
A vehicle's radiator cools circulating engine coolant, which helps to maintain normal engine operating temperature and prevent overheating. A bad or faulty radiator can lose its ability to cool, or radiate, circulating engine coolant, which can cause an engine to overheat.
A water pump is responsible for pressurizing and propelling engine coolant throughout a vehicle's engine and cooling system. Pressurized and fast-moving engine coolant is better able to absorb engine heat and reduce engine operating temperature. A bad water pump can prevent adequate coolant flow and pressurization, which can cause an engine to overheat.
An adequate amount of engine coolant is necessary to absorb internal engine heat and carry it to the radiator, where the heat gets radiated into the outside air. A low engine coolant level allows engine heat to build up, which can cause an engine to overheat.
A radiator fan helps to cool engine coolant as it filters through the radiator, especially when a vehicle is stopped and/or traveling at low speeds. A bad or faulty radiator fan can prevent adequate cooling of circulating engine coolant, which can cause an engine to overheat.
