The most common reason why your truck keeps overheating is a problem in the cooling system. We are going to discuss various problems below that will make your truck overheat every time that you drive it. We recommend that you avoid driving the truck until you have the cooling system repaired. An overheating engine can also crack the head gasket or exhaust manifold.
Clogs in the Cooling System
One of the most common things that will make your truck overheat when you drive it is a clog in the cooling system. If you forgot to bring your truck in for a cooling system service, the system may get clogged with dirt and sediment. Unfortunately, the coolant will only make it as far as the clog as it circulates through the engine. This leaves some of the truck’s engine unprotected.
Leaks in the Cooling System
Another problem that will make your truck overheat is a cooling system leak. When this happens, the coolant level in the engine is reduced by the leak. Even if you add coolant to the radiator, it will leak out of the cooling system. As such, you need us to find the leak in the cooling system and replace it in order for your truck to run at a normal temperature. We can do this at our auto service shop.
Malfunctioning Water Pump
We talked above about how a clogged cooling system can inhibit the circulation of the coolant. A malfunctioning water pump can also inhibit the circulation of the coolant. Consequently, we may need to replace the water pump in order to get your truck to operate at temperatures that are below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the maximum temperature at which the engine should run.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
The engine may also be coolant-starved if the thermostat is malfunctioning. The thermostat keeps track of the engine’s temperature so it knows when to release the coolant. If it doesn’t release the coolant when the engine needs it, the engine will overheat until it receives the coolant.
Malfunctioning Radiator
Finally, the radiator stores the coolant and cools it off after it has circulated through the engine. If the radiator is clogged, leaking, or damaged, it may be unable to keep the coolant’s temperature cold enough to keep your engine temperature normal.
We are cooling system experts, so call us today to schedule an appointment for your truck. We would be happy to inspect the cooling system to find the problem so we can fix it.