Cooling Problems

There are different cooling problems that can cause your car’s engine to run hotter than usual. Let’s discuss a few of these problems.

A/C Blowing Hot Air

Does your car’s A/C blow hot air instead of cool air? This problem could be associated with one of the following reasons:

  • Your car’s A/C system may have run out of refrigerant
  • Compressor might not be working when you turn the A/C on
  • Some impediment might not be letting the system work properly
  • The blend air door may be stuck inside the HVAC in heat position not letting any air go through the A/C evaporator
No matter how good you are with cars and mechanics, these problems can only be diagnosed and repaired by a professional mechanic.

Engine Overheating Problems

As mentioned before, if your car engine starts to overheat, safely pull over and let the engine cool down. How can you know that your car is overheating? Here are signs that you need to watch for.

  1. Smoke or Steam If your car overheats, you might see steam or smoke coming from under the bonnet. If no steam is seen, it does not mean that your car is not overheating but steam is a sure overheating indicator. You might also smell something burning, which might be, because of an overheated engine.
  2. Hot Air blowing from A/C If your A/C is on and it starts blowing hot air instead of cold, your engine is overheating. If you don’t add more coolant to the system, the engine might stop working.
  3. Coolant Puddle If your car is leaking coolant, it will lower the coolant levels and cause your car engine to overheat. You can see coolant leaking from your car when it is parked. If you have engine overheating problems, pull over and check underneath your car. As a result, you can fix the leak before it causes more dilemmas.
  4. Bubbling Noise A bubbling noise can be heard when an engine overheats. This is because the coolant flows in the overflow container. If no other overheating signs are visible, this sound can also imply that there is air in the cooling system which can later cause overheating.
  5. Warning Lights A temperature indicator is located in every car’s dashboard which displays the temperature of the coolant in one’s engine. Typical, one end is marked “H” for hot and the other is marked “C” for cold. If your engine starts to overheat, the needle on the gauge will move to “H”. In case you do not notice it, a warning light also comes on when the car’s engine is overheating. In such a situation, it is advised to pull your car over and let the engine cool down. You can take your car to a mechanic, if one is close.
Consequences of Engine Overheating

If your car engine overheats, it can have serious consequences. The gasoline engine will make a ping sound and gradually lose power. This happens because of overload of heat and pressure which exceeds the octane in the fuel. This is known as detonation. If this continues, it may create hammer-like blows damaging the pistons, rings or rod bearings. Overheating can also lead to pre-ignition. Hot spots can develop inside the combustion unit causing the fuel to ignite. These hot spots can cause a lot of damage as it can burn right through the pistons. The unpredictable combustion can cause detonation.

Engine overheating can also cause head gasket to blow. This occurs because aluminum swells three times faster than iron when exposed to heat. As a consequence, this stress can alter the head gasket and make areas between exhaust valves and restricted areas of coolant flow hot. Overheating also leads to OHC cam breakage and seizure. If the coolant gets to level where it starts to boil, radiator or hoses can burst under the pressure. Pistons can also heat up and seize to work causing serious damage to the engine. In the worst case scenario, if coolant gets into the car’s crankcase, you can say goodbye to the bearings and bottom of your car engine. Therefore, it is advised not to overlook the overheating signs.

Although, new high tech cars have a built in cooling system in case the engine overheats, you should not put your overheated engine to limits. So, turn off the engine and let it cool. Consult a mechanic if you can.

Why Consult a Mechanic?

If you are experiencing the following engine overheating problems, it’s important that you consult a mechanic immediately. This can be due to problems with your car engine or its cooling system.

  • Smoke or steam is coming from the bonnet
  • Temperature gauge is reading higher than normal
  • Warning lights indicating engine overheating
If you continue to drive in these conditions without repairs, your car can be damaged even further. This could increase the repairing costs even more than they need to be. A worst case scenario could leave you stranded when your car breaks down. Our ‘A’ grade mechanics are available 7 days a week to fix your car problems.

Why Choose Brisbane Car Services?

We specialise in cooling problems and engine overheating problems for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Holden, Ford, Citroen, hummer, Lexus, Honda, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and other brands. We have qualified mechanics and specialists who are happy to serve you whenever you need us. If you cannot come to us, our mechanics can come to you and get your car back on the road. Our work is fully guaranteed and warranted. We are keen to repair your car to the highest standards. The benefits of working with us are quality, delivery and low costs. Try us!