Cooling System Troubleshooting
Typical Problems with Your Vehicle’s Cooling System and Likely Causes in Santa Clara
Overheating usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
- Insufficient amount of coolant in the system.
- Defective or improperly adjusted drive belt.
- Blocked radiator core.
- Dirty or restricted radiator grille.
- Faulty thermostat.
- Improperly functioning fan.
- Improper pressure. Have your radiator cap pressure tested by a gas station or repair shop.
- Incorrect ignition timing.
- Defective water pump.
- Wrong grade of engine oil.
- Inaccurate temperature gauge.
Overcooling
Overcooling usually occurs for one of the two following reasons
- Faulty thermostat.
- Inaccurate temperature gauge.
External Coolant Leakage
External Coolant Leakage usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
- Deteriorated or damaged hoses, or loose clamps at the hose connections.
- Defective water pump seals. If this happens, water drips from the weep hole in the water pump body.
- Leakage from the radiator core or header tank. If this is the case, the radiator must be professionally repaired.
- Leaking engine drain plugs or water jacket freeze plugs.
- Leakage from damaged gaskets or small cracks.
- Damaged head gasket. To verify this, check the engine oil condition.
Internal Coolant Leakage
Internal Coolant Leakage usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
Note: You can detect internal coolant leaks by examining the oil. Check the dipstick and inside the rocker arm for water deposits and milkshake-like oil consistency.
- Leaking cylinder head gasket. If this occurs, test the system pressure or remove the cylinder head and inspect.
- Cracked cylinder bore or cylinder head. If this is the case, dismantle and inspect the engine.
- Loose cylinder head bolts.
Abnormal Coolant Loss
Abnormal coolant loss usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
- Overfilled system.
- Coolant evaporation due to overheating.
- Internal or external leakage.
- Faulty radiator cap. If this is the case, have the cap pressure tested.
- Engine compression is pressurizing the cooling system. A cracked head or block, or leaking head gasket (s) could cause this.
Poor Coolant Circulation
Poor coolant circulation usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
- Inoperative water pump. To test, pinch the top radiator hose closed with hour hand while the engine idles, then release. If the pump is working properly, you should feel a surge of coolant.
- Restriction in the cooling system. To fix, you should drain, flush, and refill the system. If necessary, remove the radiator and have it reverse flushed or professionally cleaned.
- Loose water pump drive belt.
- Sticking thermostat.
- Insufficient coolant.
Corrosion
Corrosion usually occurs for one of the following reasons:
- Excessive impurities in the water. We recommend you use soft water, rainwater, or distilled water.
- Infrequently flushed and drained system. You should regularly drain and flush your cooling system to maintain optimum functioning and prevent corrosion.