Everyone loves summers until the overheating issues don’t arise. Car overheating damages the car components and can become a concern for the safety of the passengers. There are numerous Car overheating signs & reasons, and some simple steps can prevent it from overheating that has been listed as follows:
Temperature Gauge Needle Comes in the Middle: You would notice that the temperature gauge needle starts getting in the middle as the car overheats. Therefore, it’s better to pay attention to the gauge movement and take steps to prevent engine damage.
Car Overheating Signs
Power Shortage
Power shortage is another potential issue an individual experiences when a car tends to overheat. Even the engine’s temperature starts escalating in such situations.
Illuminating Warning Light on Dashboard
As the overheating takes place, you notice an illuminating warning light on the vehicle.
Steam Dissipates from the Engine Bay
This situation is similar to the ones you have seen in the movies. If you continue to drive the car, it will lead to bigger issues if the car keeps overheating. Just try to park the car sideways, take the hood out and wait till it cools down.
Don’t ignore these signs and determine the Car overheating fix cost to get rid of the issues.
Common Reasons that Lead to Car Overheating
Very Low or Excess Level of Engine Coolant
One of the prominent reasons for Car overheating is dropping or surging engine coolant levels. Sometimes the coolant reservoir cap becomes loose & using low-quality coolant leads to evaporation that leads to bigger issues. On the other hand, too much coolant puts enormous pressure on the system, resulting in overheating. Ensure that the coolant is checked several times throughout the day.
Leaks in Coolant Hose
A coolant hose leak is another potential issue that you would experience. As the temperature surges and the environment becomes harsh, the hose becomes brittle and loses its elasticity, further leading to ruptures and small cracks. It is the leaks and loss of coolant that result in overheating. Issues such as car overheating due to coolant leaks can be identified and resolved with the help of a mechanic.
Loose Hose Clamps
A loose Hose clamp is another potential reason for car overheating. After a certain time, the clamps become loose, and the clamp starts losing its grip. In addition, at times, the hose held by the clamp at the proper place makes the clamp lose its grip. Loose hose results in further leakage, resulting in overheating, and a qualified technician would perform loose hose clamp replacement for you.
Broken Thermostat
The thermostat is a switch that has a valve that promptly reacts to the Car overheating issues. It generally stays within the coolant system and abstains from the coolant flow. A closed thermostat would put the engine in a cold position. During these situations, rapid engine overheating takes place. The thermostat opens once the engine starts working, and the coolant starts moving through the entire system. A malfunctioning thermostat either stays in the open or the closed position. In case it stays in the open position, the Car cannot reach the working temperature & the engine remains cold. If it stays closed, engine overheating issues start as it impedes the coolant flow.
Radiator’s Thermal Switch
A thermal switch is an electrical switch that comes into the limelight only when the coolant’s temperature changes. It turns the radiator fan on when the coolant increases the working temperature. It works similarly to the thermal switch on the clothing iron. Unfortunately, over time the material of the thermal switch starts degrading, which further leads to increased coolant temperature and engine overheating. A Thermal switch replacement would resolve the issues in no time.
Blown or Damaged Heat Gasket
The connection between the cylinder head and the engine block is generally established using the head gasket. It is impossible to get the desired engine performance without this crucial component. The moment you start the car, the oil and coolant leaks occur everywhere, leading to reduced engine compression. If you continue driving in such situations, it will result in bigger or more costly issues later on. It’s better to replace the damaged head gasket with a new one by purchasing the part from a trusted and authentic car parts and accessories store ‘The Auto Parts Shop’.
Cracks or Damages on the Heater’s Core
This issue occurs in rare cases and generally occurs in the case of older vehicles. Its main responsibility is to heat the passenger cabin of the Car. Unfortunately, over time the material of the heater core degrades, leading to leakage and clogging. A heater core replacement can fix this Car overheating issue.
How Much Does Car Overheating Fix Cost?
The average car overheating fix generally costs around $400.Radiator hose fix is quite inexpensive and is generally between $35 to $65.The radiator replacement costs around $300 and varies according to the type of car and its size. Avoid delaying the repairs in case there is a coolant leak. You can save money by purchasing quality, genuine, affordable parts delivered within a day from ‘The Auto Parts Shop’ and performing replacement tasks by watching DIY videos.
The Bottom Line
Overheating becomes a cause of concern for the driver and needs to be resolved before a bigger issue arises. Before taking the car to the mechanic or fixing it by yourself, get an idea of the car overheating fix cost so that you pay the actual price.