This blog will detail all the possible outcomes and necessary steps to take in fixing your engine overheating problem. If at any time you feel unsafe or unsure of these steps and how to execute them, please seek mechanical guidance.

Blocked Radiator

There are 3 main problems that could be occurring when trying to identify what's blocking your radiator. The first one could be dirt and debris coming up from the roads which of course will contribute to the restriction of airflow. Second, it is a possibility that your radiator may have been blocked internally. This will require you to take a closer look with a torch, shine it inside and look for anything that might be causing the blockage. Third could be a signal that you have a coolant leak. 

Low Coolant 

You must make sure that the coolant is in the desired fill lines of your vehicles. This is set at a specific level to allow for a set amount of pressure to be applied. To check that it is working correctly, make sure the engine is turned off and had time to cool down. You should hear a small amount of pressure and this is to be expected. Gauge where your coolant level is, if it's very low then you may have a coolant leak and have to seek mechanical assistance.

Cooling Fan

You can find the cooling fan located behind the radiator. The job is of the cooling fan is to regulate the temperature of the radiator through the rotation. To make sure that it is working efficiently, you can test this by hand. Spin the wheel and make sure it rotates freely, with no jerks in motion. If you notice that it's not very smooth in motion then it may be time to replace your cooling fan. 

Blown Head Gasket 

This is typically the most common fault with your engine overheating. There is a tight seal that must be made in order for the combustion process to work with the engine block and cylinder head. The changing of temperatures from hot to cold, then cold to hot can cause this to fail over time. This is also one of the easiest to spot when it comes to finding the fault.

Simply start your engine and make sure your radio is turned off along with any AC or heating settings. Make sure you can hear the engine clearly and if it makes any strange noises then it's most likely to be the head gasket.

Faulty Thermostat 

If your thermostat is not working correctly, then it will think that the engine is always cool, and this can results in not enough (or any) engine coolant getting through to the radiator. If the thermostat is not doing its job properly, then you will notice your engine overheating typically within the first 10-20 minutes of starting up your engine. You may hear banging noises coming from the radiator as the hot and cold coolant try to mix. This is an indication of a bad thermostat.

Faulty Pump

The pump's job is to make sure the coolant is being circulated correctly all the way through to the radiator and the engine. The pump impeller may become less sturdy over time which can be an issue. Or, there can be a leak coming from the seal which can cause unusual noises in the form of grinding and squeaking.  If any of these issues occur then it may be time to replace your radiator pump.

Quick Tips To Cool Down Your Engine 

✅  Turn Off Your Engine: I know I know, seems really obvious doesn't it. The sooner you realise that your engine may be overheating and you turn off the engine the better! Although this may seem counter-intuitive, make sure that you do not turn on your air conditioning unit. In theory, you would think that this would help the situation but it does the exact opposite. The van engine will generate even more heat trying to run the AC.

✅  Stuck In Rush Hour: let's just say that you happen to notice this issue in the middle of rush hour god forbid! It seems like you may be stuck for at least another hour, what do you do? You can pop your car into neutral and provide a few soft revs. In doing this you will activate the radiators water pump and hopefully cool down the engine for the time being. 

Another thing you can do is to make sure you are braking very minimally. Try and time your driving so you can just coast as long as possible, this will benefit you greatly until you get home. 

✅  Turn The Heating Up: This also might seem counter-intuitive, but the heating from your car will suck the heat away from the engine and get dispersed through your interior fans. Try and keep them on for as long as possible at least until you get home where you can completely shut off the vehicle until you seek professional help.

✅  Admit Defeat: Although we have shared a few great tips with you to lessen the effects of an over the heating engine, sometimes it may be too severe. If you reach this point, the best thing to do is signal a stop at the side of the road and open everything up. Open the hood and all car doors (if possible) and avoid touching anything inside. Of course, this will be incredibly hot and it is best to leave it be for the time being.

Summary

Owning a van can be a great pleasure. For some, it is extremely convenient in transporting goods or heavy-duty items, and others its a useful tool for helping people out. But for most, this can be their bread and butter. the workhorse that makes all the magic happen. It makes sense to get to know some functionalities of your van, that way you can take care of it over time and highlight + fix any small problems that may arise on your journey!