My Volvo XC90 Engine Gets Hot Quickly! What Should I Do?

It's really frustrating to see steam coming out of the hood of your car. Isn't it? Well, usually, it is an indication that your car engine temperature has somehow reached a critical level. And, if left unaddressed, this may give rise to several engine-related problems. But, don't panic… this article can help you to get to the bottom of the problem before it turns into something more serious. So, let's get started.

Volvo XC90 Engine Overheating- Potential Causes

There are many factors (hundreds, if not more) that can cause your car engine to overheat. Below we've rounded up some of them. Have a look…

Your coolant is low

Coolant—a combination of ethylene glycol, additives, and water—is the unsung hero of your vehicle's engine cooling system. Its unique physical and chemical properties basically make it possible for the cooling system to keep the engine temperature within the optimal range (195- 220 degrees F). If your Volvo XC90 coolant level is low, its engine will overheat even if you take a short trip.

Your water pump is faulty

If your Volvo XC90 engine overheats too quickly, it's likely that its water pump isn't working as well as it should. Are you wondering what does a water pump do and how its failure can cause engine overheating in a car? Well, you can think of the water pump as the heart of your vehicle’s cooling system. It basically generates centrifugal force and ensures that coolant is consistently circulating between the engine and the radiator. If it stops working, the coolant will just sit in the system.

Your radiator is clogged

Just like the water pump, the radiator is an important part of your car’s engine cooling system. You can think of it as the lungs of your vehicle’s engine cooling system. But, instead of oxygen, it facilitates the exchange of heat between the warm coolant inside and the cold air outside. And, guess what... if it gets clogged or damaged, the efficiency of the cooling system will be adversely affected - which can result in engine overheating. That’s why if you want to keep your Volvo XC90’s cooling system in good condition; you need to ensure the upkeep of its radiator.

Your radiator fan is not working

In some instances, a defective radiator cooling fan has emerged as the root cause of engine overheating. The radiator cooling fan, as the name suggests, is a kind of electric fan that is tasked with the job of speeding up heat exchange between the engine and the radiator. If it stops working due to some reason, the heat exchange ability of the radiator will drastically decline. And, if you keep on driving your car with a faulty radiator cooling fan, its engine may overheat.

Your car is low on motor oil

Are you surprised to read that low motor oil level can cause engine overheating in a car? Well, don't be so surprised… Oil is the lifeblood of your car engine. Among other things, oil is responsible for keeping the engine temperature stable. And, if your car is low on motor oil, its engine will run rough and overheat. It is also important to note that, the lack of an adequate amount of motor oil can give rise to serious engine troubles in your Volvo XC90. That's why you need to make sure that your car is never running out of motor oil.

All right... These are some common reasons why your Volvo XC90 engine can overheat quickly. What comes next is a list of things that you can do to deal with an overheated engine.

Volvo XC90 Engine Overheating- What Should You Do?

You were driving your car and all of a sudden you found that its engine temperature is skyrocketing. Just reading about it is bone-chilling… Isn't it? So, what should you do in such a scenario? Below we have listed a few things that you can do to deal with an overheated engine;

• Check the coolant reservoir and if it’s dry, refill it.
• If the coolant level is up to the mark, check the condition of the water pump. See if it is working properly or not.
• If your engine cooling system is working fine, check the engine oil level.
• And, if you lack the skills required to do all the above things, call a technician immediately.

Closing Remarks

So, the bottom line of this discussion is that a sudden rise in engine temperature in a car is a matter of some concern and should never be underestimated. The reason behind it has to be identified and repaired as soon as possible so that the performance of the engine can be optimized.

We at Bruce Cox Imports are one of the leading luxury car repair and service facility located in Bellingham, WA. We are having years of experience in looking after imported cars like Acura, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Nissan.