
The water pump is one place coolant can leak, be sure to have the timing belt and water pump changed on time.
Although a great car may be aesthetically pleasing on the outside and have tons of high-tech features on the inside, it means nothing if the car is plagued with mechanical issues. While overheating may seem like a simple issue, it really isn’t, and pinpointing the exact reason for overheating can be quite difficult, especially if you aren’t a car expert. Even though the causes for car overheating are numerous, there are about three that stand out as the most frequently-occurring.
Radiator Fan Malfunction
Most cars have electric cooling fan motors in place behind the radiator to assist with temperature regulation. If your car doesn’t have electric cooling fans, it’ll definitely have a belt-driven fan. If either of these fans aren’t working as intended, you’ll experience some overheating. A good way to determine if fan malfunction is the cause of your overheating is observing when the overheating takes place. If your car starts to heat up while at rest, it’s most likely a fan-related issue. Try checking the airflow of your fans, or take your car to a repair specialist if you’re not comfortable with doing that.
Coolant Problems
Apart from airflow, coolant is the main way a car stays cool. Without proper antifreeze circulation, your car will overheat rather easily. Again, pay attention to when your car overheats; if it overheats during 30-60mph drives, then it’s most likely a coolant issue. Unfortunately, the coolant circulation system in most cars is complex, which means there’s a number of things that could go wrong. Generally you’ll want to check if your thermostat is fully functional, but it’s usually better to take it to a repair shop and have an expert look at it.
Leaks
If your coolant level is low, then there’s a high chance that you have a leak somewhere in your car. Since most cars have closed cooling systems, your coolant levels should never really go down. Determining whether you have a leak in your system is rather easily. First, make sure your radiator is filled with the right amount of coolant. Then, while your engine is running, observe your car; if you see any obvious leaks, then it’s time to head to the shop. There are some less obvious signs of leaks to watch out far as well, such as bubbles in your expansion tank. Coolant leaks can lead to damage, so it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible.