Now that summer’s here, there are high chances that the extreme heat is putting a strain on your vehicle. Your engine might overheat and break down when the surrounding is hot. The next thing you know, your car is already overheating.
Car engines overheat for several reasons. Luckily, there are common warning signs that your engine is overheating. Catching the problem quickly will help minimize serious damage. Let’s take a look at the most common overheating car symptoms.
The Temperature Light is in the Red Zone
Look at your dashboard—you will see a warning light or gauge that indicates the temperature of your engine’s coolant. The needle in between the letters “L’ and ‘H’ will tell you if your engine’s coolant is cold, normal, or overheating.
If the warning light comes on, then the engine is beyond the operating temperature. If the needle is near the top, then your car is in serious need of attention. We suggest that you turn off your engine and allow it to cool down for a while.
Thumping or Ticking Sounds
Engine oil is used to lubricate all the moving parts. When the engine oil is overheated, it will lose its ability to lubricate well. The mechanical parts will end up clacking against each other. This will result in annoying thumping and ticking sounds in the thermostat area. First, you need to shut off the engine and check the oil level. Getting the thermostat replaced will also fix the issue and prevent cold and superheated coolant from mixing.
Burning Smell
If your vehicle smells hot, the car’s engine might be overheating. As the temperature increases, some parts like plastic valves, rubber gaskets, and seals may begin to melt. The fumes are often described as smelling hot. Aside from overheating, other causes might be leaking coolant or issues with the air conditioning vent. When this happens to you, it’s best to bring your car to a trained technician for an inspection.
Engine Coolant Leaks
Have you noticed that there is visible fluid or coolant on the ground under your vehicle? This is a sign of an antifreeze leak, which causes engine overheating problems. Coolant is the one that helps pull heat away from the engine. Driving with low coolant can lead to an overheated engine, permanent damage, and expensive repairs.
When the engine fails, the car stops. Inspecting the radiator or coolant should always be included in your car maintenance checklist this summer season.
Steam Is Coming From the Car Hood
One of the most common signs of an overheating engine is smoke and steam coming from under the hood. It means your engine has overheated and the antifreeze has reached its boiling point. Once it has boiled over, the coolant will turn into steam before escaping your car’s coolant reservoir.
If you notice a lot of steam billowing out from underneath your hood, your engine is losing coolant. You need to pull over and shut off the engine immediately before your components get damaged.
Hot Hood
A running engine will cause the hood of your car to become hot. Don’t worry because this is normal. Take note that you should still be able to touch the hood for around 10 seconds. If the hood is extremely hot to the point that it might burn your hand, your engine might be overheating.
The first thing you need to do is safely pull over and turn off your engine. You may raise the hood to allow excess heat to escape but do so with caution.
Weak Engine
Do you have a rough-running engine? Does your engine keep on stalling? Your engine might not be delivering enough power due to extreme heat. Whenever a gas engine is overheating, it will become lazy and give reduced power. You can expect that it will slow down and cause impending trouble.
We know you don’t want a lackluster performance. Keep an eye on check engine light and have your vehicle towed if needed.
How To Deal With an Overheating Engine
Noticed any of these signs? Pull over, shut off the car, and allow the engine to cool. You may reach out to your local towing and roadside assistance company like Allentown Towing Co.
Our dedicated team can tow your vehicle and have your overheated engine checked by a professional. We offer cheap and affordable towing throughout Allentown PA and surrounding areas. Call us today for more details.