Reasons for Engine Overheating?
2 Answers
Reasons for engine overheating include insufficient engine coolant; prolonged low-speed, high-load driving during hot seasons; excessively lean or rich air-fuel mixture; severe external dirt or internal scale buildup in the radiator leading to poor heat dissipation; delayed engagement of the fan clutch, non-functioning cooling fan, damaged blades, excessive fan rotation resistance, etc.; excessive carbon deposits in the combustion chamber; issues with the catalytic converter. Dashboard Warning: When the engine temperature is too high, the dashboard will display a warning. It appears as a thermometer-like icon called the coolant temperature warning light. Illumination of this icon indicates insufficient coolant and rising engine temperature. Normal Engine Temperature: The normal operating temperature of a car engine varies by brand and vehicle type. Generally, civilian passenger cars operate between 95-98°C, commercial trucks between 90-95°C, while performance sports cars can reach 105-115°C.
Last time I was driving, the temperature gauge suddenly spiked, so I quickly pulled over. There are many possible reasons: low coolant level is the most common—I checked and found the reservoir was almost empty, possibly due to a leak or evaporation. If the water pump fails, the coolant won’t circulate. A stuck thermostat that won’t open can cause the temperature to keep rising. A faulty electric fan or a broken belt reduces cooling efficiency, and radiator clogging due to scale buildup is also common. I also learned not to keep driving when overheating, as it can cause severe engine damage and expensive repairs. At the time, I added water as a temporary fix, but later sought professional repairs. That’s when I realized regular checks of the cooling system can prevent such issues—after all, safety comes first when driving. If this happens, don’t panic: stop immediately, turn off the engine, and inspect the situation to ensure everyone’s safety.
