Car overheats
My car is overheating.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi. The cooling system is designed to keep your engine at normal operating temperature (approximately 190-210 degrees fahrenheit). When this doesn’t happen, it means there is a failure somewhere in your cooling system. The main cooling system components are the radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, heater core and fan. However, failed engine components, such as a blown head gasket or cracked intake manifold, can also cause overheating. A trained professional, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to determine the cause of the overheating problem.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common reasons a Volkswagen Beetle is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat.
Have you noticed your VW overheating? Your car could be overheating for several different reasons. Every vehicle has a “normal” temperature range, usually between 195 and 200 degrees. However, if your cooling system is leaking or your radiator is having trouble, you should definitely not drive your car.
One of the easiest ways to detect this issue is to pay attention to the temperature gauge on your car`s dashboard. If this gauge reads above normal, it means that the temperature of the coolant is higher than it should be. This can be an indication of an overheated engine.
The Volkswagen Beetle is known for its compact body and iconic design. These Volkswagen cars are also equipped with excellent features and technology. To keep Beetles running right, however, drivers need to perform routine maintenance on all of the cars most important components, including the radiator.
Engines can overheat for many reasons. In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Overheating is the most common issue for Volkswagen air-cooled engines. If overheating occurs with a fluid-cooled engine, every light on the dash will go off, the temperature gauge will be all the way to the right, coolant fluid may burst or spill out of the system, and you are practically forced to pull the car over.
Most experts agree that your engine should run between 195 degrees and 220 degrees. In ideal situations, your needle will maintain a posture right in the middle of your gauge.
How often should you change coolant in a Volkswagen? Typically, you should have your Volkswagen coolant flush completed every 30,000 miles or every two years. There are some instances where your vehicle can go without a flush for a longer period of time.
Your overheated engine may still be running, but it`s not fine. You risk costly damage to your engine if you keep driving. DON`T panic. Your engine may have lost its cool, but now is the time for you to keep yours!
Volkswagen never bothered to add even an idiot light to the Beetle to warn of overheating. That`s quite an oversight for an air cooled engine that is prone to self-destruction from running too hot. Head temperatures are reported to range up to 315C while oil temperature can reach 120C.
Thermostat set to 80 degrees Celsius to maintain optimal running temperature.
The Classic VW Beetle engine works by creating a reaction that leads to four-phase combustion with the intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, and exhaust stroke. Air-cooled engines use movement to cool down and this engine also uses a cooling fan to control engine temperatures.
There are drastic measures you can take to lower your coolant temperature like replacing your thermostat your radiator. Thermostats are designed to open at different temperatures so a thermostat that allows coolant to flow to the radiator at a lower temperature can help keep your engine running cooler.
Coolant is a fluid that is added to your engine that helps prevent it from overheating. If your engine gets too far above its normal operating temperature, some serious damage can be caused and in the worst case scenario, cause an engine to seize and require that it be replaced.
The top should be to hot to touch and the bottom should be cooler. You are checking for cold spots that will be cold to the touch. If you find cold spots, you need a new radiator. The best way to check for coolant flow is to remove a heater hose, then start the car.
Your radiator fan should kick in at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice your vehicle is overheating or at the very least running hotter than it normally does, listen for the fan to see if you can hear it.
If your car engine is still hot after two hours, there are a couple of possible causes. It could be overheating due to low coolant levels, a broken fan belt, a clogged radiator, a stuck thermostat, or electric cooling fan failure.
For normal driving of 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, five years will pass long before the odometer hits 150,000 miles. So, for most applications, five years is the recommended service interval for changing the coolant.
What color coolant does Volkswagen use? It`s important to understand that color doesn`t matter. While most Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants are usually orange, yellow, red or purple, Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) coolants are orange and yellow.
Technically speaking yes you can use plain water in your cooling system but it isn`t recommended as a long term solution and certainly not in extreme weather conditions.
Only Use Water In The Radiator In An Emergency
If it`s really low or actually empty, you need to add fluid to your vehicle. While it`s ideal to add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water (or a pre-mixed coolant), if you absolutely have to keep driving, you can add water to the radiator to get you to your destination.
One way to check for proper coolant circulation is to check the upper and lower radiator hoses. The upper radiator hose should be hot, around 190–200 °F. (The safest and most accurate way to get this temperature reading is with an infrared thermometer.)
Repeated overheating can be a sign of serious engine damage. Repeated use of an overheated engine can accelerate that damage rapidly. In extreme heat, core parts of the vehicle`s engine can crack, warp, and fail — resulting in instant death to your vehicle`s powerplant.
Can an engine survive overheating? Yes – as long as you respond quickly and don`t let your car go into full meltdown mode, it should be repairable. Too much heat can result in further complications, such as cracks leading to significant oil leaks or loss of performance.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
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Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
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Should I buy this car for $1700
ANSWER : Prior to buying any car, drive the car around and listen for any noises. Then do an inspection on the vehicle to make sure that it is safe to drive. All cars will need maintenance, but if the car was kept up, then the maintenance should be to a minimum.
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Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away
ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.
If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Oil leaking from under car and "remote control car" sound when car is first started for a few minutes until it warm up.
ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
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Power steering loss, no belts are turning but the car is running fine. I also have a soft pedal. Whats wrong with my car?
ANSWER : I have only seen this situation once in my 30+ years and it turned out to be a broken crankshaft pulley. Belts are driven by the engine. The crankshaft pulley spins the belts, which in turn spin the air conditioner compressor, power steering and water pumps, and the alternator. The vehicle should be towed to your local repair shop and not driven. Without the water pump spinning to circulate the coolant, the engine will quickly overheat and result in more extensive damage.
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Radiator fans come on but very briefly. 5 seconds at the most. The car overheats when I get off the highway.
ANSWER : The first thing is to make sure the cooling system is indeed full. When the heat turns cold, this could be an electric problem or there could be an air bubble in the cooling system. A low cooling system can also affect the fan operation. The best method for checking the cooling system level is to remove the radiator cap first thing in the morning before you start the car. If coolant isn’t showing just under the radiator cap, top it off and make sure the coolant overflow container is filled to the appropriate mark.
If the cooling system is full, and the fan still turns off after five seconds, the cooling fan circuit will need to be diagnosed. With a symptom such as yours, it indicates there is a bad connection in one of the components of the cooling fan circuit. It is very common for electrical circuits to develop weak spots that fail shortly after they are turned on. Heat will build at the bad connection and stop electricity to flow. When the circuit is allowed to cool, it will again operate for a short time.
Possible component failures include the radiator fan, radiator fan relay, radiator fan switch, a bad connection at a connector and a fuse with a bad connection. The best spot to begin diagnosing the cooling fan is to pull the radiator fan relay and use a test light to check that the proper circuits are supplying power as well as use a jumper wire to supply power and or ground to the cooling fan to test the fan operation. Testing of this sort requires a wiring diagram, a test light and an understanding of electrical theory.
If you should require assistance with this, I would recommend having your car’s overheating issue inspected at your home by one of our mobile technicians.
Good luck!
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