We recommend that you avoid driving your car, SUV, or truck if the engine is overheating. The reason why is that the excess heat in the engine can cause irreparable engine damage. For example, if the engine operates under extreme heat for an extended period, the engine block may crack.
One thing that can make your engine overheat all the time is damage to the cooling system. It is important to have the cooling system damage repaired as soon as possible to prevent the engine damage discussed above. Our expert technicians can repair your cooling system at our shop.
Automobile Accident
One of the things that can damage the cooling system instantly is an automobile accident. If you accidentally hit someone from behind, the impact may damage the radiator. The radiator is located directly behind the grille so it can take advantage of the air that flows through the grille. Consequently, if the automobile accident damages the front end of your car, truck, or SUV, you may end up with a damaged radiator that will make the engine overheat if you try to drive the vehicle.
Damaged Radiator
Speaking of a damaged radiator, an automobile accident is not the only thing that can damage it. As we just mentioned, the radiator is located in the front of the engine directly behind the grille. Consequently, it can get inundated with the road debris that is small enough to make its way through the grille.
In addition, the radiator can be damaged internally simply by what it does; it stores the engine coolant. This coolant will corrode the bottom of the radiator over time. Consequently, the corrosion will eat through the radiator’s bottom. As such, you may end up with a leaking radiator.
Damaged Air Inlets
The radiator also utilizes air inlets that are called fins. These allow air to flow over the coolant to reduce its temperature before it circulates through the engine. These inlets can be damaged by road debris or they can get clogged by dirt. When this happens, there is no outside air flowing over the coolant. Consequently, your engine can overheat because the coolant is too hot.
Finally, the radiator also uses a fan that you likely hear while your engine is running. This fan can be damaged by road debris or get damaged in an automobile accident. Without the fan, again, the coolant temperature may be too hot and cause your engine to overheat.