Why Is My Car Overheating But It Has Coolant In It?

My car was overheating, and when I checked it out, I saw that the coolant was low, and then I topped it up. But this didn’t solve the problem as my car still overheats. So, why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it? What should I do before my engine gets damaged?

Well, if you’re currently in a similar situation as what is stated above, then you’re reading the right post. This article will explain why your car still overheats even after you have filled the coolant reservoir with the recommended liquid. Just sit tight and read carefully read through this piece.

Why Is My Car Overheating But It Has Coolant In It?

Firstly, overheating is not only caused by coolant-related issues, but there are also at least 10 different causes of engine overheating. So, filling the reservoir to its brims (not recommended) won’t actually solve the issue. However, if your car was overheating due to insufficient coolant, this action would help.

That said, the reason why your car is yet overheating even after topping up the coolant is due to some other components in the engine bay are faulty, damaged, or not appropriately fixed. Yes, components such as the water pump, thermostat valve, AC compressor, radiator fins, etc. can all cause overheating.

But, there’s nothing to worry about, anyway. This is because, irrespective of what is causing your car to overheat, a simple troubleshooting technique can help to fix things up. Nevertheless, if this troubleshooting doesn’t work, then you should consult a mechanic to help in the situation.’

What’s the Troubleshooting?

Since you’ve topped the coolant and the problem isn’t solved, here are some other actions you should take.

If you’re currently driving when you noticed the overheating, then you must pull over at a safe corner and try out these:

• Wait for about thirty (30) minutes for the car to cool down; then you can open the bonnet and inspect the following components.
  • Radiator fan
  • Oil leaks
  • Thermostat Valve
  • Water pump
• To check the radiator fan, put the car in the ignition – the fan should start spinning immediately. If this doesn’t happen, then the fan is faulty and needs to be fixed.
• Check if the thermostat valve is clogged, jammed, or damaged. If it is in good condition, then it’s not the fault.
• Look out for oil leaks around the engine bay. Well, this may be tough if you haven’t washed the engine bay for a very long; grimes and debris may not let you detect slight oil leaks that may have caused the overheating.

When you are done checking these components listed above – hopefully, you will find the culprit(s). It now points down to the level of technicality required to fix the problem; if the culprit components are things you can fix, then you should do that yourself; else, kindly call a mechanic.

The AC compressor can also cause overheating when it’s faulty. This cannot be detected easily; it requires a mechanic to run mechanical troubleshooting to ascertain the condition of your AC compressor.

Recommended Readings

• Major Consequences of Engine Overheating
• How to Fix Car Overheating Problems
• Can A Car Drive With Bad Fuel Pump?

Conclusion

Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it? As said earlier, because your coolant is filled or working fine doesn’t guarantee that your engine won’t overheat; it’s not foolproof.

Since there are different causes of overheating and you’ve solved one (which is filling the coolant), it’s time to check on those other possible causes.

Again, we’d recommend that you wash your car engine once in a while to keep it neat and clean. This will also help to easily detect oil leaks in the engine bay, as well as prolong the lifespan of your engine. Get a mechanic to fix your car, and don’t miss your maintenance schedules anymore.