Your vehicle has many electrical and mechanical components that work together to move you around. When one system fails, it causes a domino effect that could paralyze the entire vehicle's operation. So what happens when a car overheats? You'll need an auto repair specialist to diagnose the problem and provide a working solution. This article highlights common causes of an overheating engine. 

1. Cooling System Failure 

The average car engine generates an incredible amount of heat. However, the cooling system draws the heat away from the engine and pushes it to the radiator, where it's absorbed and redirected outside. After the coolant loses the heat, it circulates back to absorb heat from the engine and repeats the entire cycle keeping your vehicle engine cool. 

The engine will overheat if your cooling system fails due to low coolant levels, leaks, or contamination. You'll need to tow your car to a mechanic to determine the exact cause of the problem. The technician will pinpoint the source of the leak, patch it up, and refill the coolant. 

2. Defective Radiator and Fins 

As highlighted above, coolant often flows to the radiator to lose heat absorbed from the engine before repeating the process. The radiator has fins that increase the rate of heat transfer from the fluid. 

The entire operation will fail if the radiator or fins get damaged. The coolant may boil, and heat transfer might be too slow to cool the engine properly. Your auto repair mechanic will recommend replacing the damaged cap and fins to keep the coolant flowing appropriately. 

3. Malfunctioning Water Pump 

The water pump mimics the operations of a human heart. It works by pumping the coolant through the tubes and past the engine. A broken pump might fail to produce enough power to push the coolant to the engine. Inadequate coolant circulation within the engine might make it overheat. You'll need to check in with a specialist to fix or replace the water pump. 

4. A Faulty Thermostat 

While the pump provides the power to push the coolant, the thermostat regulates the flow of the fluid. The device detects the vehicle's temperature and allows the coolant to flow to the engine once it starts to heat up. A faulty thermostat will misread the temperatures, and the coolant might never make it through the engine. This might cause the engine to overheat. Your auto repair specialist might help confirm your suspicions and recommend replacing the thermostat. 

It is not easy for the average car owner to determine the exact cause of an overheating engine. Therefore, you should stop the car and call a towing company to take your car to your preferred auto repair shop. The auto repair technician will diagnose your vehicle and provide the best solutions.

Reach out to a service such as Precision Towing & Recovery to find out more.