What Causes High Temperature in a Car Radiator?
3 Answers
It is usually caused by insufficient water in the radiator, leaks, or the radiator fan not functioning properly. Below is an introduction to car radiators: Main purpose: The function of the cooling system is to dissipate excess and unnecessary heat from the engine, ensuring the engine operates at normal temperatures under various speeds or driving conditions. Introduction: The car radiator, also known as a heat exchanger, is a key component of the car's cooling system. Its function is to dissipate heat. The coolant absorbs heat in the water jacket, flows to the radiator to release the heat, and then returns to the water jacket to circulate, achieving temperature regulation. It is an integral part of the car engine.
Last time I was on a business trip, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to red on the highway, so I quickly pulled over and turned on the hazard lights. When I lifted the hood, I found the coolant reservoir was empty. Later, it turned out the water pump seal had aged and was leaking. Actually, common causes of engine overheating are these: insufficient coolant is the most critical, leaks in hoses or cracks in the radiator can secretly drain the fluid; if the thermostat gets stuck and doesn’t open, the coolant won’t circulate; if the electric fan isn’t spinning, it’s usually due to a faulty temperature switch; if the radiator fins are clogged with willow catkins or insects, it’s like putting a mask on a person—heat dissipation is definitely compromised. The most troublesome issue is a blown head gasket, where exhaust gases leak into the cooling system, causing the dashboard temperature gauge to fluctuate wildly like a roller coaster.
In my 13 years of car repair experience, 80% of radiator overheating issues stem from neglected cooling system maintenance. Many car owners don't change coolant for three years, leaving it full of rust and scale that clogs radiator pipes like arteriosclerosis. There are also cases of oxidized radiator fan connectors causing poor contact, or loose belts failing to drive the water pump. Summer demands special attention to radiator surface inspection - poplar fluff accumulation can reduce cooling efficiency by 70%. Modified cars are particularly prone to problems, like owners installing high-power turbos while keeping stock small radiators, causing engine temperature to spike during mountain cornering.
