When your vehicle overheats, it can be problematic for you. This is particularly if you are in a hurry. You must pull over on the side of the road and allow your vehicle to cool off before you to continue on to your destination. There are many reasons why your car could overheat, most of which will require professional auto repair. Keep reading to learn what could be causing your vehicle to overheat.

Leak in the Cooling System

If a leak, even a small one, goes unnoticed for long enough, it can result in a lot of money wasted over the course of a few short days. Cooling system leaks tend to be the most common reason for a vehicle overheating. You will want to check your entire system for a leak, including the water pump, the radiator, the thermostat, and the coolant system. If a leak is located, a professional will need to check it out and repair it as soon as possible.

Low Concentration of Coolant

Another issue can be that your vehicle's coolant system is low on coolant or has the wrong concentration of coolant. The best way to ensure that your vehicle has adequate coolant is to stay on top of your vehicle's maintenance. When the improper mixture of coolant and water is used, it can result in the vehicle overheating. In some cases, it can result in some of the vehicle's components deteriorating.

Broken Thermostat

An important part of the coolant system is the thermostat, which is responsible for detecting the temperature and permitting the coolant to pass through as the vehicle heats up. If the thermostat is damaged, the coolant will not be able to pass through and the engine will burn with zero coolant helping to cool it down.

In order for the vehicle to operate efficiently, the engine needs to be able to operate at a cooled temperature for extended periods of time and not overheat. If it overheats for a prolonged period, serious damage can occur to the vehicle and its components.

Burst Hose

The coolant hoses underneath your vehicle's hood are responsible for transporting the coolant to your engine so that the vehicle can cool down sufficiently. However, in the event that the hose is damaged in any way, the coolant will never get to the engine. Instead, the coolant will leak out and the engine will wind up overheating.

Faulty Water Pump

The water pump is essentially the heart of your vehicle's coolant system. Similar to the way a human's heart pumps blood throughout the body, the water pump is responsible for generating pressure and pumping coolant throughout the entire coolant system.

When the water pump is faulty, it will be unable to generate sufficient pressure so that the coolant can make it to the engine, causing the temperature of the vehicle to increase. The water pump can get damaged for a number of reasons, such as corrosion, so it is a good idea to have it inspected on a regular basis.

If your vehicle is overheating, you need to take your vehicle into an auto repair shop for an inspection and repairs to prevent serious damage to your engine and vehicle.

For more information, contact a local auto repair service.