Overheating problems What can make a car overheat?
Overheating is caused by anything that leads to a loss of coolant, prevents the cooling system from getting rid of heat, or causes excess heat in the engine itself: • Coolant leaks (water pump, radiator, heater core, hoses, freeze plugs, head gasket, engine internal). • Weak radiator cap (does not hold rated pressure and allows coolant to boil over). Pressure test the cap to check it out. • Cooling system clogged (deposits built up in radiator or in engine due to maintenance neglect or use of hard water). Use a cleaner, then reverse flush system to clean it out. A badly clogged radiator may need to be rodded out or replaced. • Thermostat stuck shut (replace). • Inoperative electric cooling fan (check fan motor, relay and temperature switch for correct operation). • Bad fan clutch (replace if slipping, leaking or loose). • Missing fan shroud (reduces cooling efficiency of fan). • Slipping fan belt (tighten or replace). • Too low or too high a concentration of antifreeze (should be 50/50
