Why do cars overheat?

Many drivers and motorists have already experienced overheating in their car engines.  Most are unaware, though, the actual reason why their engines overheat.  Some may have an idea on the cause of the problem, but there are people who rely on mechanics and experts to check on their cars and do the appropriate action for repairs or maintenance afterwards.  One common reason for overheating engines is a leak in the cooling system.  When the car’s coolant is dripping continuously whether the car is running or not, the engine will eventually overheat.  This happens because there is simply too little coolant remaining in the system to help the engine achieve an ideal temperature.

Overheating could also be due to the thermostat.  It is quite common for the thermostat in the cars to get stuck somewhere in the cooling system.  When the flow of the engine coolant is blocked in some way by the stuck thermostat, it is only natural that the coolant will be unable to circulate within the system, and so it will not be able to provide the right temperature for the engine. When this happens, the car’s engine is also destined to overheat.

A defective water pump may also be the culprit in engine overheating.  When there is damage to this area, the engine coolant will not be able to circulate within the engine system. Without proper coolant circulation and temperature regulation, the temperature in the engine will eventually rise causing it to overheat.  Sometimes, though, it is the cooling fan that causes overheating in the engine. These fans are literally designed to help provide a cooling effect on the engine.  Most engines have electrical and mechanical fans installed to help keep the ideal engine temperature at any given time.  When they are damaged or are not functioning efficiently, overheating in the engine is also expected.