Engine Overheating? Causes, Fixes, and How to Prevent It in Edmonton Summers

Edmonton summers can be tough on vehicles. Long construction detours, highway trips out to the lake, or stop and go traffic on Whyte Ave all push engines harder than most drivers realize. When that temperature gauge starts creeping up, it is more than an inconvenience, it is a warning sign that your engine could be on the brink of damage. At Good News Auto, we see overheating issues in our shop every summer, and most of them come down to a few common problems.

Common Causes of Engine Overheating

When an engine overheats, the cooling system usually holds the answer. Some of the most common causes we find in Edmonton vehicles include:

• Coolant leaks: A small puddle under your car, often green or orange, is usually a leak. Even a slow drip will drop coolant levels enough to cause overheating.
• Radiator clogs or corrosion: Dust, bugs, and road debris can clog airflow, while internal corrosion restricts coolant circulation.
• Faulty thermostats: These small valves regulate engine temperature. When they stick shut, coolant cannot move where it needs to, and the engine heats up quickly.
• Broken water pumps: Without a working pump, coolant never makes its full circuit. We see this often in higher mileage vehicles.
• Cooling fan failures: If the fan does not kick in during traffic, the radiator cannot shed heat, especially on warm July afternoons downtown.

Temporary Fixes If Your Engine Overheats on the Road

Overheating on the road can be stressful, but there are a few safe steps to buy yourself time:

• Pull over safely and turn off the engine right away
• Switch off the air conditioning and turn the heater on full blast to help draw heat away from the engine
• Wait until the engine cools down before opening the hood
• Check coolant levels once it is safe, and if low, adding water can get you moving again, but only as a temporary solution

We always remind drivers: these are emergency steps only. The underlying problem still needs repair.

Long-Term Repairs for Lasting Results

A proper diagnosis goes deeper than topping up coolant. At Good News Auto, we use pressure testing and full inspections to track down the root cause. Depending on what we find, long-term fixes may include:

• Flushing or replacing a clogged radiator
• Installing a new thermostat or water pump
• Repairing or replacing a damaged cooling fan
• Sealing leaks and topping up with the correct coolant mix

Without these repairs, an overheating problem will keep coming back, and repeated overheating can warp cylinder heads or blow gaskets, leading to costly rebuilds.

Summer Driving Habits to Prevent Overheating in Edmonton

Prevention is always better than repair. Edmonton drivers can reduce the risk of overheating by:

• Checking coolant and oil levels before long trips out of town
• Scheduling seasonal standard maintenance to catch issues early
• Watching the temperature gauge in stop and go traffic during hot afternoons
• Avoiding heavy towing or overloading in peak summer heat

These habits, paired with regular engine services, help vehicles handle Edmonton’s summer conditions reliably.

Get Reliable Engine Services at Good News Auto

We know overheating problems because we fix them all the time. From leaking radiators to faulty thermostats, our team has seen it all and repaired it for Edmonton drivers. When you bring your vehicle to Good News Auto, you are not just getting a repair, you are getting a long-term solution backed by a shop that cares about keeping you on the road safely.

Think your engine is running hotter than it should? Book an inspection today and let Good News Auto keep your car cool through Edmonton’s summer.

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