A car overheating is a nightmare situation for any driver. If your engine temperature rises too high, components like the cylinders, pistons, and head gasket can fail. Damage to these components could wreck your engine. Fortunately, this doesn't have to happen. Your Nissan will always show signs it's overheating, and
your local Nissan service & repair center in Rockville, MD, can fix it for you. Below you’ll find some examples of problems that can cause overheating.
White Streaks on the Radiator Cap
The radiator cap controls the pressure in your radiator. The liquid coolant moving through the system travels at high speed and under high pressure. Coolant that's already absorbed heat can easily reach 280° F, and this heat increases the pressure in the system. If the pressure rises too high, the radiator cap will open to release the excess pressure and then close again.
White streaks on the radiator are a sign that coolant is escaping from your radiator. This could be due to a damaged radiator cap, or the seals on the cap may have failed. Hot coolant will leak out from the radiator and leave behind tell-tale white streaks when it dries. Our technicians will check the cap and the seals for damage and fit replacements.
Failed Water Pump
As we've seen, coolant moves through your system at high-speed. To do this, it requires a pump capable of pushing the liquid through your engine to the radiator and drawing it back again. The pump must also run continually from the time your engine temperature gets too hot till the temperature drops below a preset point.
Your water pump is responsible for moving the coolant. Like any pump, the water pump can fail due to wear, age, or damage. If the water pump fails, coolant will be released, but it won't be able to move. The lack of flowing coolant will cause a heat buildup in your engine, and the temperature will rapidly rise. We can test your water pump and replace a failed or damaged one.
Leaking Coolant
The main cause of an overheating engine is leaking coolant. Coolant is essential for controlling the temperature, as it's the only way heat can be removed from the engine. Age and damage can lead to worn parts. Radiator hoses, for example, can become less flexible and crack. These cracks can increase and create leaks.
Coolant can also leak from the radiator cap, a damaged radiator, or worn pipes. Once a leak is detected, it's essential to repair it ASAP. Our technicians will investigate and repair the cause of the leak. We'll then refill the coolant, and your cooling system should return to normal.
If your Nissan is showing any signs of overheating,
call us immediately at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville or
schedule a service online now!