Image via Pixabay.
Your Toyota’s engine is designed to run at a high temperature. This is normal, and as long as the temperature gauge remains around the middle of the dial, everything is fine. If your temperature gauge goes up and starts to climb, you could have a car overheating. As your Toyota dealer, we’d like you to know a few causes of this high temperature and how we can fix it.
Jammed Thermostat
The operating temperature of your engine varies between 185 F and 220 F. Your cooling system will automatically start working when the temperature reaches 180 F and prevent the engine from getting too hot. Coolant is responsible for removing the heat from your engine, and the release of coolant is controlled by the thermostat.
The thermostat is a tiny component, but if it fails, it will have an enormous impact on your engine. A failed thermostat will jam either open or closed. If the thermostat jams open, your engine will cool faster than it should, and your engine will use more gas due to the lower temperature. A thermostat that jams closed won’t release coolant, and your engine will overheat. We can fix this problem by removing and replacing the failed thermostat.
Damaged Radiator
Once the coolant is released in the engine, it passes over hot components and absorbs the heat from them. The coolant then enters the radiator and passes into rows of thin tubes. Air flows in through the radiator grille and over the tubes, and this air movement removes the heat from the coolant. The now-cooled coolant then circulates through your engine again.
A radiator can become damaged due to rust, a blockage, or old age. Regardless of the cause, a damaged radiator will quickly cause your engine to overheat. Usually, the first sign you’ll have of this problem is a rising temperature gauge. If this happens, it is time to visit us ASAP, so we can diagnose and repair the cause of the problem. If your radiator is severely damaged, we can install a new one, and your engine temperature will return to normal.
Leaking Coolant
A coolant leak is always serious, as a lack of coolant will cause your engine to overheat quickly. Coolant leaks can be caused by several issues, for example, a hole in the radiator, damaged radiator hoses, or a leaking radiator cap. As coolant leaks out, the pressure in the cooling system drops, and the remaining coolant slows down, which causes a further increase in engine temperature.
Fortunately, coolant leaks are usually easy to spot as coolant is brightly colored. Coolant can also leak into your exhaust system, and its presence will cause thick white smoke from the tailpipe. We’ll trace the source of the leak and seal it then refill your coolant.
Overheating can result in major engine damage. Call us right away at Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota.
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