Many times when your car’s coolant tank is full but the car still overheats, it can be a very confusing situation. Usually people believe that the right amount of coolant is enough to keep the car’s engine cool.
However, the reality may be slightly different from this. There can be many hidden problems of overheating even when the coolant is full. In this article, we will discuss these problems in detail and tell you what you should keep in mind in such a situation.
Car Engine Overheating But Coolant Full – Causes
If your car is also overheating despite the coolant being full, then there can be many reasons for this problem. Because many different components play an important role in the cooling system of any vehicle. Let’s know these reasons in detail and what you can do to fix them.
#1. Blockage Radiator
The main job of the coolant is to absorb the heat coming out of the engine and transport it to the radiator so that it can be cooled there. But if there is a blockage in the radiator, this process will not happen smoothly.
This blockage can be due to the accumulation of garbage, dust or rust inside the radiator. This slows down the flow of coolant and the engine starts overheating.
#2. Bad Radiator Fan
The radiator fan plays an important role in cooling the coolant. If the radiator fan is not working properly, it will be difficult to cool the coolant. This will cause the engine to overheat even if there is enough coolant in it.
#3. Bad Thermostat
The thermostat controls the temperature of the engine. It opens when the engine overheats, allowing the coolant to flow into the radiator.
But if the thermostat is jammed or does not open in time, the coolant will not be able to reach the engine to cool down, causing overheating.
#4. Wrong Coolant Mixture
The correct ratio of coolant and water is 50:50. If your coolant has more amount of water, it will not work properly. Similarly, if only coolant is added, it can also cause overheating.
If the ratio is not correct, the cooling capacity of the coolant is reduced, which can cause the engine to overheat.
#5. Bad Water Pump
The water pump circulates coolant from the engine to the radiator. If the water pump is bad or its fan is broken, the coolant will not be able to flow properly into the engine. This can cause the engine to overheat. It is very important for the water pump to work properly, as it is a major part of the cooling system.
#6. Engine Blown Head Gasket
The head gasket works to keep various parts of the engine separate from each other, so that the coolant and engine oil do not mix.
But when the head gasket gets damaged, the coolant starts leaking inside the engine and is not able to cool properly. This causes the engine to overheat.
#7. Bad Radiator Cap
The job of the radiator cap is to maintain the pressure of the cooling system. If it becomes loose or its sealing system is damaged, coolant may leak and cause a loss of pressure, which can affect the cooling system and cause overheating.
#8. Air lock
Air locks in the cooling system are also a common cause of overheating. If air gets trapped in the cooling system, it can prevent the flow of coolant, causing the engine temperature to rise. Air locks usually occur after a coolant change or due to a leak.
#9. Slow leaks
Sometimes coolant leaks are so slow that you don’t notice them right away. Even if your radiator tank is full of coolant, if there is a leak somewhere, the cooling system will not work properly and the engine will start overheating.
#10. Lack of Engine Oil
Many times we ignore the regular maintenance of our vehicle for a long time, due to which we do not check the engine oil level. The reason for engine overheating despite the presence of coolant is due to lack of engine oil or no oil at all.
So, whenever the engine overheats when the coolant is full, check the engine oil level and fill it if it is low. Remember, low or low engine oil level can also cause engine seizure.
What To Do When The Car Engine is Overheating?
If your engine is overheating, it’s important to take immediate action to prevent serious damage. Here’s what you should do:
#1. Quick Steps:
- Turn off the A/C and turn on the heater:
- Why: Air conditioning puts more load on the engine, while the heater helps remove heat from the engine. So turn the blower fan to full speed by setting the actuator to the heater.
#2. Pull The Vehicle To The Side and Turn Off The Engine
- Why: Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can cause serious damage such as a blown head gasket or bent engine parts.
- What to do next: Wait at least 15-30 minutes for the engine to cool down.
#3. If You Must Drive
- Drive Slowly: If you need to drive to get help, turn off the A/C, roll down the windows, and drive slowly to reduce engine load.
Diagnosis & Solution Of Engine Overheating
- Get the radiator cleaned and inspected regularly. If there is rust or dirt in the radiator, get it cleaned or replaced if needed.
- Check the electrical connections, fuse, and motor of the radiator fan. If the fan motor is faulty, get it replaced immediately.
- If you think the thermostat is not working properly, replacing it is the best option. Replacing a faulty thermostat at the right time can solve the overheating problem.
- Keep the coolant mixture in the right proportion. A mixture of 50% coolant and 50% distilled water is ideal for the engine. It is very important to ensure the right mixture while changing the coolant.
- Check the water pump. If it has leakage or is not working properly, get it replaced immediately. Make sure the water pump is working properly so that the coolant can flow properly.
- Check the head gasket. If it has leakage or is damaged, it will be necessary to replace it. Ignoring this can cause serious damage to the engine.
- Check the radiator cap regularly and replace it immediately if it is loose or its seal is damaged. A properly fitted radiator cap helps prevent overheating.
- If you suspect an air lock problem, bleed the cooling system. This process helps remove air from the system and corrects the flow of coolant.
- Check for leakage. Even small cracks can cause coolant to leak. If the coolant level is suddenly decreasing, it may be a sign of leakage. Get the leakage repaired immediately.
Note – Always keep in mind that in such a situation, if your car has overheated, do not touch any of its parts or hot liquid with bare hands until it cools down. Also, do not open the radiator cap suddenly. Because doing so can harm your body with hot coolant.
Conclusion
Full coolant is not enough to eliminate the problem of car overheating. There can be many other reasons for overheating in your vehicle, such as a blocked radiator, bad fan, thermostat problem or other mechanical faults. Regular inspection and proper maintenance can help you avoid these problems.
If your car is overheating frequently, do not ignore it. Car overheating can cause serious damage to the engine, which can lead to very high repair costs. Identifying and solving these problems at the right time will keep your vehicle running smoothly for a long time.
