It’s relatively common for truck engines to overheat while driving through Texas. Depending on the make of your truck and how long your trips are, don’t panic if you notice your truck getting hotter than it should be. There are many common causes of engine overheating in Texas, and we compiled some of them while explaining what you can do to salvage the situation safely.
Read on below:
Take a look at your situation
First of all, you should pull over somewhere safe. With the engine off, pop the hood open and try to notice if anything’s off. If you notice coolant all over the place or maybe a busted hose, take note of this immediately. What you want to do in this phase is to look for any major red flags.
In your opinion, if there is anything below the hood that might impede you while you’re on your way, it’s best to take note of everything wrong you spot and try to see if you can visit your nearest repair shop right away. Better to be safe than sorry!
Check for common reasons behind overheating
Now that you can safely check your truck, it’s best to always have a checklist of common reasons behind truck overheating. This way, you can easily check off anything alarming.
Here are some reasons to consider:
Failing water pump
It’s easy to overlook this issue, so best to check it if your truck gets extra hot! Have a new pump installed ASAP if this is an issue.
Blown head gasket
This could happen if you see white smoke rising out of your truck.
Faulty thermostat
Coolant leak
You may encounter this problem if the improper amount of coolant is applied to your truck.
Bad radiator cap
Any of these issues can be immediately attended to by an experienced truck mechanic. Contact one right away if any of these come up on your list!
Crack your windows
If you can’t stop over, this can be a temporary fix for overheating. You don’t want the same heat that’s bothering you to remain inside the truck, circulating and damaging the system.
Crack open your windows minimally. Make sure it isn’t too open so you won’t attract burglars.
Move to your nearest shop
While planning your trips in advance, always be aware of a truck repair company in TX you can call if things go south. Not just in terms of overheating, but in terms of other problems that could occur, too! As easy as it might be to resort to quick fixes, long term solutions can usually be applied by a proper expert.
Always keep emergency numbers of repair companies you trust in your truck’s glove compartment, your wallet, or anywhere else that could be easily accessible to you on trips. Your first instinct should be to check this list if you encounter problems.
Keep your entire system cool
The most important preventive measure against overheating should be a foolproof cooling system in your truck. This is especially important when summer rolls around. You have no control on how hot it’s gonna be, so might as well be prepared!
Firstly, always make sure that the proper amount of coolant is present in your truck’s cooling system. You want to avoid coolant leaks as much as possible while maintaining your truck’s optimum temperature on the road. Additives in the coolant need to be replaced, so make sure you periodically replace your coolant to keep your cooling system in tip-top shape.
Let us take care of your truck for you
For all your truck maintenance needs in Dallas, TX, you can contact us at WTX Truck Repair, LLC. We’re a veteran-owned and operated truck repair company based in Dallas. We’re open 24 hours a day and service semi trucks, trailers, reefer & buses, and heavy equipment. You can also trust us for emergency roadside assistance, and we are committed to getting you safely back on the road as quickly as possible.
To get a quote, you can visit our website or call us at (432) – 444 – 3284.
