Car Overheats but Only if I Dont Take a Break

Did you know that an overheating engine is a dangerous situation? In fact, running the engine beyond its safe operating temperature is extremely likely to cause major damage. It could even destroy the engine entirely! That's because excess heat can actually warp metal parts until they break or fuse together.

It can be even more complicated to diagnose a car that's only overheating under certain circumstances. If your car is overheating, bring it to the pros in our service center as soon as possible, so we can prevent catastrophic engine damage! If it's not possible to operate your car at a safe temperature, consider having the car towed to our service center so we can work to restore it to safe, reliable performance. Below, the experts in our service center will discuss the four problems we're most likely to find if your car is overheating in traffic.

Reason #4: Your Coolant Level is Low

Any time your car's engine is overheating, it's a good idea to check the coolant level and make sure there's enough coolant in the system. If the coolant level is low, that tells you there is a leak somewhere in the system. If there isn't enough coolant in the system, the engine can easily start to overheat while you sit at a stoplight or in traffic.

You can check the coolant level yourself by popping the hood and taking a look under the radiator cap. The fluid level should come up to nearly the very top. But first, a word of caution: Do not attempt to check the coolant level when the engine is hot! The coolant is under pressure and, when you remove the cap, steam and scalding hot coolant could gush from the radiator fill port and burn you. It's a good idea to wait at least a half-hour after the vehicle was driven before checking the coolant level.

Reason #3: Stuck Thermostat

Even if the coolant is full in your car, your car can still overheat. This tells us that you have a problem with the system itself.

A thermostat in your vehicle's cooling system regulates the flow of coolant based on engine temperature. It reacts to changes in temperature so the engine can get more or less coolant flow as needed. Over time, these small components can become stuck open or closed and stop regulating coolant flow. This can lead to various problems, including overheating in traffic. Replacing a car thermostat is a commonplace procedure that won't cost you much or take long for our skilled technicians to perform!

Reason #2: Blocked Radiator

Litter and leaves from the road can get trapped in the vehicle's front grille, blocking the necessary flow of air to the radiator. Without proper airflow, the radiator can't do its job keeping the engine cool. Sometimes this problem is fixed by something as easy as pulling out a plastic bag that was sucked up into your car as you drive along.

Reason #1: Your Radiator Fans Aren't Working

If your car operates at a safe temperature as you drive along, but the temperature creeps up toward the danger zone when sitting still, that tells us that your cooling fans likely have a problem.

Car Overheats but Only if I Dont Take a Break

Source: https://www.capitol-chevy.com/service/information/why-is-my-car-overheating-in-traffic-salem-or.htm

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