There are so many things that can cause your vehicle to overheat.

An overheating engine can cause big problems for your vehicle, the worst being total engine failure if the vehicle is left to overheat for too long. You’ll be happy to know that you can prevent your vehicle from overheating, but in order to do so, you’ll need to learn what can cause a vehicle to overheat to begin with. That’s why, in our last blog, we started going over a few of the most common causes of an overheating vehicle. And today, we’re going over a few more of them:

#5. A Bad Water Pump

Think of the water pump as the heart of your vehicle’s cooling system. Just as your heart pumps blood throughout your body, the water pump propels the coolant required to keep your engine cool throughout the cooling system. Leaks, erosion and any other problem with the water pump can lead to an overheating engine. In addition to an overheating engine, other signs of a bad water pump include steam from the radiator and a loose water pump pulley.

#6. Blocked Coolant Hoses

In our previous blog, we talked about how coolant hoses can become cracked or worn over time, and that they can burst with too much pressure. One other issue that may arise with your coolant hoses is an obstruction. Road sediment, dirt and other debris can get into the coolant system, and it could end up creating a clog that prevents the coolant from reaching your engine. If you suspect that you have a blocked hose, flushing the system is the ideal solution.

#7. Radiator Fan Failure

If you are driving a modern vehicle, chances are, it utilizes an electric fan, which pulls the air through the radiator. This is important because it keeps your vehicle cool when you’re driving at low speeds or idling. If the radiator fan has a broken motor or a clutch that has worn out, it can’t do its job and will cause your vehicle to overheat. If your vehicle operates normally when you’re on the highway but overheats when you’re sitting in traffic or idling, the problem is probably the radiator fan.

#8. Broken Water Pump Belt

The water pump belt is a very important aspect of your vehicle’s cooling system. In addition to controlling the water pump, the serpentine belt also operates other accessories in your vehicle, like the air conditioner compressor and the power steering. Over time and with exposure to the heat in your engine, the belt can dry out and become brittle, eventually leading it to crack and break. This puts your vehicle at risk for overheating.

We hope that this blog series will help you learn what to watch out for and maintain to prevent your vehicle from overheating. If you are hoping to take further steps to prevent an overheating vehicle, consider upgrading to silicone coolant hoses, which are more durable and better resistant to heat. Shop our silicone coolant hoses online today!