A malfunctioning thermostat might also be a likely reason for overheating while the car is running at a regular speed. When the sensor that measures the temperature is faulty or does not work, it is common to notice a wrong reading. When engines overheat, it generally happens at any speed; however, there are times when the engine will be fine at speed and only begin to get too hot when the vehicle is idling in stop-and-go traffic. Rowefast answered 3 years ago. In some cases, it may just be enough to keep your engine from overheating long enough to get to a shop. This article explains the importance of the temperature gauge and why the car isn’t overheating when they are reading high. 188,845. This can also be caused by a damaged radiator, faulty radiator cap, lower level of coolant or a trapped air bubble in the system. Keep in mind that when the car is fully warmed up, the coolant (in the engine) will at least reach the boiling point of water. This sometimes may get back on the track by cleaning the … If the temperature gauge consistently shows the engine is warmer than normal, have your cooling system checked ASAP. Car Running Hot but Not Overheating| Why is Your Car Temperature Gauge High But Car Not Overheating? Basically, we would be discussing the reasons why you might be getting a false reading. Step 4: Test the fan motor. It also helps to remove excess heat from the engine. The smell probably is coming from the catalytic converter from burning off all the impurities collected on it threw normal driving, and when the engine got hot so did the exhaust, so it just baked the impurities in the cat. In the meantime, do not attempt to open the hood; the coolant in a car that has overheated may be in excess of 230 degrees, says Reina. The simplest reason for car running hot but not overheating is a failed gauge itself. Once the hood is open, there’s a … If the fans were not spinning normally, the issue is either the electric motor that turns the fan, or the relay that triggers the fan to come on. Report. Before we get into the causes of vehicle overheating, let’s help minimize the potential damage to your car NOW until you can get it into a shop: 1- Turn off the AC immediately. An overheating engine is a big problem. 3- No, seriously. The reason is that your heater core is essentially a small radiator that transfers heat inside your car instead of outside. The engine oil will get even hotter than the boiling point of water. If your vehicle has low oil, it might be causing your car to run hot. Using a … A car’s oil does more than just lubricate moving parts. Pop the hood and listen and visually watch for the fans to kick on. There are many possible … If you don’t have roadside assistance, be patient; it will take at least 15 minutes for the engine to cool. This is why cars use a 50/50 antifreeze/water mixture; to prevent the coolant from boiling. Doing this, to a large extent, can lower the chances of your vehicle developing issues that will cause the problem of your car running hot but not overheating or any engine problem at all. 2- Turn on your defroster and your heat to HOT, fan on High. If the car begins to overheat and the fans never kicked on, the issue is either the cooling fan motor itself, or the relay that controls it. Tip: If the fans are spinning normally, skip Step 4. Engines that run too hot are at risk of complete destruction, as the engine block itself can warp when there's too much heat. Radiator cooling fan. So when you turn on the heat, you’re extracting heat from the coolant. Always check the various components of your vehicle before you put on the engine to drive and make sure you run a maintenance schedule for your vehicle. 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