New Orleans Auto Repair

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Why is my car overheating?

Is your car overheating? If you notice your vehicle temperature gauge climbing, you are having a problem with your vehicle running hot. Although running engines create heat, your vehicle's engine cooling system was designed to help regulate your engine temperature.

Why is my car overheating? - Tim's Quality Car Care

Two main issues that can cause your vehicle to overheat: 
1) Low coolant level or no coolant in the engine and radiator 
2) Engine cooling fans is malfunctioning

low cooling system is an indication of a coolant leak. How coolant leaks are detected is we will artificially pressurize your cooling system with a special tool and then visually inspect the system to locate leaks. Did you know that your vehicle's cabin heater is part of the engine cooling system? Sometimes your vehicle has a cooling leak internally in the engine, meaning that your cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is allowing coolant to leak into one of the cylinders of the engine. A tell of an internal engine cooling system leak is a rough idle during startup. 

A malfunctioning cooling fan restricts the under hood air flow and can cause the vehicle to run hot. A sign of a failing cooling fan is the vehicle runs hot while still or at slow speeds and is able to better manage engine temperature at highway speeds. 

Why is my car overheating? - Tim's Quality Car Care image 2  Why is my car overheating? - Tim's Quality Car Care image 3


WARNING: Do not open the hood on a vehicle that is overheating and especially do not open the radiator or coolant reservoir cap on a vehicle overheating. Coolant levels should only be checked on a vehicle that has been allowed to cool down to ambient temperature. Your vehicle's cooling system, especially if it is overheating, is under pressure and opening the system will put you at great risk of being scalded


If your vehicle is running hot, let the mechanics at Tim’s give you an accurate diagnosis of what is needed to fix your vehicle. We will also check all safety and maintenance items to keep you informed of the entire state of your vehicle and to help keep you in reliable and safe transportation.

We can figure out why your vehicle is overheating! Make an appointment today!

 

You may also be interested in: Why does my car battery keep dying?

 

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