Bryant Motors

Ride with the people you trust!
Serving Sedalia, Boonville, Clinton, Jefferson City, Marshall, Warrensburg and Central Missouri
(800) 886-2701
2901 South Limit Ave. Sedalia, MO 65301
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8 Reasons Why Your Car Might Be Overheating

overheated car engine

An overheated car could ruin your day —
here are some common reasons it happens, and how to keep your car cool.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it will be more and more common to see cars pulled over because they have overheated. But why exactly does a vehicle overheat? There are many possible reasons, which is why we’ve compiled the following list to explain the top eight reasons why your engine may be overheating.

They are, in no particular order, as follows:

  • Faulty water pump
  • Improper coolant ratio
  • Your car leaks coolant
  • Hose blockages
  • Improper maintenance
  • Lack of airflow to radiator
  • Faulty cooling fans
  • Broken radiator cap

1. Faulty Water Pump

The purpose of a water pump in your engine is to pull the coolant out of its reservoir and send it through the hoses in your vehicle. If the water pump is faulty, it is no longer able to properly pull the coolant through the hoses and cool the engine. You will probably see this happen as a gradual process as water pumps tend to wear out over time.

2. Improper Coolant Ratio

Not all coolants can be simply opened and added to your vehicle. Often, there is a ratio of coolant to water that must be mixed depending on the exact specifications of your car. If this mix is done improperly, the coolant may not be capable of doing its job to the best of its ability. The proper coolant ratio should be found in the owner’s manual of your car, online, or you can call our dealership.

3. Your Car Is Leaking Coolant

Coolant leaks are one of the largest causes of engines overheating. A leak can occur for a variety of reasons. These include, but are not limited to, rust damage, punctured hoses from debris on the road, and improper maintenance. To spot leaks quickly, you should regularly check under the car to look for pooling liquids before driving.

4. Hose Blockages

Hoses are the main means by which fluid is able to flow through your engine and cool it down. Typically, coolant goes through these tubes, pulls excess heat from the engine, and then expels it into the surrounding cooler air. At times, these hoses get blocked with things like dirt and debris. If coolant is not able to flow freely, the engine has a much higher chance of overheating.

5. Improper Maintenance

One of the most important things about owning an automobile is to have regular maintenance performed. In regards to cooling, your cooling fluids should be flushed on a regular basis. To best prevent overheating, it is important that your car is always inspected by an accredited and trustworthy mechanic. If your car is inspected without looking into its cooling systems, critical failures can easily be overlooked which will cause your car to overheat down the road.

6. Lack of Airflow To Radiator

At times, the front grill to your car, which is the most direct access to your radiator, can become blocked with dirt, trash, or brush. While you are driving down the road, one of the easiest ways to cool the engine is simply by making sure the surrounding air can flow freely through the grill and cool down the engine. If trash, dirt, or brush builds up on the grill, it can block air from getting through, which means the hot air in the engine gets contained and overheats your engine. This is one of the easiest fixes.

7. Faulty Cooling Fans

Another way that your engine is cooled is through cooling fans. The idea is that these fans are able to blow away the much hotter air created by the engine and replace it with cooler air. Over time, like any piece of mechanical equipment, this fan can go bad and need to be replaced. Because fans are often overlooked, it is important that trained professionals inspect them regularly.

8. Broken Radiator Cap

If there is no radiator fluid pressure, then it cannot expel heat to the surrounding air. This is because there is no driving force of the fluid to begin with. All of the pressure is escaping through the damaged radiator cap. This can be compared to trying to drink through a straw that has a hole half way down. Lack of pressure can make it difficult for the liquid to get to the top of the straw because it keeps escaping through the leak.

Regardless of what’s actually causing your vehicle to overheat, you will always want to take it to an ASE-certified mechanic that is properly trained to handle this issue. For the best mechanic services in Central Missouri, be sure to visit us at Bryant Motors today. We’re conveniently located in Sedalia, MO and our friendly service department is standing by to fix the problem quickly and affordably.

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Bryant Motors
2901 South Limit Ave
Sedalia MO 65301
(800) 886-2701
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Full Service Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Dealership
Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg and Whiteman AFB, Missouri

If you're in the market for a new or used vehicle, we invite you to browse our online showroom or come on down to our dealership and check out our inventory. Bryant Motors has been the premier go-to place for central Missouri's transportation needs for nearly 80 years.

Once you step on the lot or in the showroom, our personable and caring team of auto specialists will show you why we've remained Sedalia's leader for new & used trucks, SUVs, cars and more.

Check Out Our Vehicle Inventory including:

New Cars: Come test drive our Chrysler 200, 300 and Dodge Avenger. The revitalized Dodge Dart provides economical transportation with the handling you'd expect from a sports car. For modern day classics, we recommend Dodge Charger and Challenger. And if you're really in need to speed, the Dodge SRT Viper is in a class all to itself.

New Trucks: Find the best selection of both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive trucks in central Missouri at Bryant Motors. For best-in-class towing & fuel economy, test drive Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for both 2013 and 2014, Dodge's Ram 1500. For a more heavy-duty truck, we recommend Ram 2500 and 3500 models.

New Minivans: Looking to buy a family car? Check out Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. These popular family vans set the standard for minivans.

New SUVs: When it comes to Jeeps, we have the best selection of all Jeep models including Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Patriot and Compass. Dodge SUVs are one of our best sellers. The Dodge Durango provides both power and room, while Dodge's new crossover, the Journey, seats 7 and is the most affordable crossover-SUV on the market today.

Used Cars & Trucks: looking for a good used vehicle? Bryant Motors' pre-owned department carefully screens each used vehicle to ensure you're getting the dependability you need. Choose from a wide array of makes and models, including many one-owner cars, trucks and SUVs.

Find the latest Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler and other exciting models, or browse our extensive inventory of quality new and used automobiles

Our Sedalia-based auto dealership serves the new and used car needs of surrounding communities, including Warrensburg and Jefferson City.

Find top-quality Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, including the Ram 1500, Wrangler/Grand Cherokee and other models designed for getting the job done or getting through some of the serious farm and rural country Missouri is known for.

Bryant Motors is centrally located to residents of Sedalia and surrounding areas, as well as vacationers heading to Lake of the Ozarks or Osage Beach.

When you visit our showroom at 2901 S. Limit in Sedalia, you will not only find exciting new Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models. You'll also find the most knowledgeable and friendly sales staff out in all of central Missouri.

Come visit our dealership near: Warrensburg , Whiteman AFB , Jefferson City, Marshall, Clinton, Boonville

Bryant Motors Auto Service & Repair Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB and Jefferson City

Where you purchased your new Dodge Ram, Grand Caravan or used car is irrelevant - Bryant Motors' service department is here to help with all your automotive maintenance and repair needs.

We offer auto repair and maintenance on all models, regardless of where they were manufactured or purchased.

Whether you need a basic oil change , brake services , auto A/C repair , transmission repair or a total engine overhaul, experienced, factory-trained technicians will get you back on the road as fast as possible.


Find Popular New & Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs:

Chrysler: Chrysler 200 Touring, Chrysler 200 Limited, Town & Country, Chrysler 300

Dodge: Dodge Journey

Ram Trucks: Ram 1500 Ram 2500

Jeep: Patriot Latitude, Compass Latitude, Grand Cherokee (Limited, Overland, Summit), Wrangler

Bryant Motors
Central Missouri Best Car Dealership
Serving Customers in Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman Air Force Base, Jefferson City & Surrounding Areas including Marshall, Boonville, and Clinton, MO