Why is my car overheating?

An overheating engine is a sign of some serious problems which, if ignored, can lead to terminal damage. K-Seal can help fix these problems fast.

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There are several reasons for an overheating car—such as a faulty radiator, failing thermostat, blocked cooling system, water pump failure, blown head gasket, cracked block or simply low coolant levels.

If you spot the problem early then you can usually solve it with K-Seal but you need to act quickly before the problem gets too bad.

So, if your car engine is overheating read on to find out how to fix it and get back on the road fast.

Common causes of car overheating?

Stuck thermostat

The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant around the engine to maintain the correct operating temperature.  If the thermostat is stuck, the coolant won’t flow properly around your engine leading to overheating.

A faulty thermostat is not a leak but it needs to be repaired or replaced to avoid causing engine damage from overheating.

Radiator Blockage

This is usually caused by contaminants such as rust collecting in the radiator and stopping the coolant from flowing freely.

This means that the engine cannot be cooled efficiently leading to overheating which will cause serious engine damage.

A blocked radiator needs to be flushed or replaced as soon as possible.

Water pump failure

The water pump makes sure that coolant is always circulating around the cooling system, helping to maintain the correct engine temperature.

If the coolant is flowing too slowly or not at all then the engine will begin to overheat leading to serious engine damage including a blown head gasket, cracked block and warped head.

Blown Head Gasket or Cracked Block/Head

If you ignore the problems mentioned above then you can end up seriously damaging your engine as the extreme heat causes the metal to crack and fail.

This leads to coolant loss, further overheating and eventually engine failure.  If you identify this problem then use K-Seal immediately to permanently repair the head gasket, cylinder head or engine block.

It’s much cheaper and quicker than a trip to the workshop for a new engine.

Why is my car overheating in the winter?

Your car may be overheating in the winter for a number of reasons.

A blocked radiator, faulty water pump or sticking thermostat will stop the coolant flowing freely and the engine will quickly overheat, even if it’s cold outside.

What to do if your car is overheating

As soon as you see the temperature gauge hit the red then you need to stop the car and switch off the engine.

The longer the gauge is in the red, or the temperature warning light is on, the bigger the risk of serious damage to the engine.

Wait for the engine to cool down before trying to continue your journey and if the engine overheats again then stop and get a tow.

If your temperature gauge is in the red then switch the car off and let the engine cool down.

How to check your coolant level

  1. Locate the coolant reservoir / expansion tank under the hood. If in doubt check the vehicle handbook.
  2. The coolant level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the tank.
  3. If you need to top up the coolant, first wait for the engine to cool down. Top up with the correct antifreeze mixture and then check the level again after driving the car.
  4. If in doubt, consult a qualified auto technician.

If the coolant level has dropped this means you probably have a leak, especially if you are having to top up on a regular basis.

K-Seal will fix leaks in all hard parts of the cooling system and is simply added to the coolant just like topping up with antifreeze.

How to prevent your car overheating in the future

To prevent engine overheating problems make sure you regularly check your coolant levels and change the coolant according to the service manual.

Ignoring any early signs of an overheating engine will just lead to bigger problems.

It’s also a good idea to keep a bottle of K-Seal in your trunk so you can fix any coolant leaks as soon as possible

What to do if your car smells hot but isn’t overheating

It’s possible that you could be losing coolant or oil, but the temperature gauge is reading normal.

Fluids dripping onto the engine will lead to a burning smell in the cabin so you need to check under the hood to see if you can spot any stains or wet patches around the engine.

Make sure you also keep a close eye on the coolant level.

If you are following another car and can smell burning, it could be their engine that you can smell. Change lanes or hang back to see if the smell goes away.

How to stop engine overheating, fast


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