Oct 21, 2022

If you see your overheating light begin to flash, that is your sign that it’s time to quickly find a solution! No amount of driving is safe when your vehicle’s temperature is too high, and continuing to cruise around can result in irreparable damage to your engine and other moving components. If you have a car overheating, check this list for common reasons before visiting your Lincoln dealer.

1. Troubles With Coolant

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a mixture of water and glycol. This brightly colored substance runs through your engine in openings called water jackets to allow the liquid a chance to absorb the heat and draw it away from the powerhouse.

Issues with coolant can be as simple as not having enough. Punctures in your cooling system can cause leaks, and over time the amount of antifreeze available will begin to dwindle. Another common problem includes blockages in the piping, often from things like rusted tubes or the buildup of deposits. If the coolant can’t flow, heat will not be able to move from the engine to the radiator.

2. Damaged or Clogged Radiator

The radiator serves to intake the coolant and spread it out among thin pipes so that air can pass around the liquid for further cooling. The radiator has many delicate components that are prone to damage with age, such as the radiator fins that are layered between the pipes to maintain their shape. Just driving around can kick up pebbles and debris that bend these fins and prevent air from passing through.

Alternatively, the radiator can become clogged or begin leaking. Anything that impedes the flow of antifreeze will cause the vehicle’s internal temperature to begin rising. A common sign that you’ve sprung a leak is noticing sweet-smelling puddles beneath the car in unnaturally vibrant shades.

3. Issues With Your Oil

Just like coolant, oil is a critical fluid in how your vehicle manages its temperature range. Derived from crude oil, motor oil consists of a petroleum hydrocarbon base and is used to lubricate the moving parts of your engine and assist in keeping things cool. If you are running too low on oil, the moving metal parts of your engine will begin to grind on each other and create friction.

Friction isn’t the only source of heat resulting from a lack of oil. Unfortunately, not having enough oil can quickly become a compounding concern. Oil that gets too hot will lose its viscosity and thus reduce its capacity to lubricate even further.

If you want to keep your car on the road, you’ll need to determine why your vehicle is overheating and solve the problem immediately. Putting off the repairs will only make the damage worse, so it’s better to solve it sooner than later. Visit Bayway Lincoln today for our expert services and rest assured that your fuel system is in the best hands.

Image Via Lincoln