What Causes the Engine Coolant Temperature to Reach 120 Degrees?

[LeDiana]

An engine coolant temperature of 120 degrees is abnormal. Below are the specific reasons for high engine coolant temperature: Insufficient Coolant: Coolant leakage or low coolant levels can cause the engine temperature to rise. In this case, check the coolant level and top it up to the appropriate level if necessary. Recheck the level after a few days to see if it drops significantly. If it does, locate the source of the leak. Faulty Cooling Fan: When the vehicle is running at high RPM, the generated heat cannot be effectively transferred to the coolant, affecting heat dissipation. This leads to an increase in coolant temperature, potentially causing overheating issues. Faulty Water Pump: Water pump failures can include seized bearings or damaged impellers. Seized bearings are relatively rare, while impeller damage is more common. Issues like cracked impellers or impellers loosening from the pump shaft can slow down coolant circulation, often resulting in engine overheating.