Auto Service Tips and Tricks for Women and Novices

Posted on: 16 July 2020

What would you do if your vehicle began to overheat along the highway? Could be you noticed a drastic rise in engine temperatures or white smoke from the bonnet. Below is a short guide on car overheating and the various repairs you should consider.

Stop the Car

Park your vehicle once you detect an overheating problem. Do not turn off the ignition. Conduct an immediate diagnosis to determine the following: 

• If the coolant reservoir is empty, you need to top up your coolant. Use water if you are far from the nearest town or fuelling station.
• If you identify a water pool or drops below your radiator, you could be dealing with a leaking radiator or cooling hoses.
• If the radiator fans are dysfunctional, the engine will overheat. As such, check whether the fans are running.
• If you hear hissing sounds from your radiator cap, it's an indication of a faulty or loose cap.
• If you notice a backflow of coolant into your radiator reservoir, the head gasket is blown.

Let the Car Cool Down

As a rule, you should switch off your vehicle and give the engine adequate time to cool before opening the radiator. The coolant in the radiator is hot and under pressure. As such, it could cause burns. If the vehicle continues to overheat after immediate repairs, call your mechanic and request for towing services. The engine cylinder will warp if the engine temperatures are too high. In severe situations, the vehicle will have an engine knock. 

Hire Someone to Repair the Radiator

Ask a car radiator repair person to examine the condition of the radiator. The radiator contains metal fins that push heat from the hot coolant outside the vehicle. As such, the coolant's temperature drops as it returns to the engine. The equipment also provides temporary storage for the coolant when the car is not moving. After years of use, the radiator could rust or accumulate gunk that blocks the radiator's fins. This reduces the amount of coolant flowing through the system and affects the effectiveness of the fins. As such, the engine will overheat. Your mechanic will flush the radiator to get rid of this gunk. If the radiator has extensive rust, they will advise you to replace the equipment. As a rule, you should only use genuine OEM spares.

You now have adequate knowledge on how to diagnose an overheating vehicle. Proper maintenance will keep the cooling system in good condition. Use the recommended coolant, keep the radiator cap tight and inspect the cooling hoses for signs of leakage.