It’s a simple fact that classic cars are more susceptible to overheating than modern-day automobiles are. There are many factors that contribute to this problem. Getz Automotive works on all types of automobiles, including classic cars. We’d be happy to inspect your vintage baby to find out why it is overheating. The problem is likely one of the following issues listed below.
Driving Today Versus Driving Decades Ago
In some cases, there could be nothing wrong with your classic car. Depending on when your car was built, it was not manufactured for today’s driving conditions. Older cars were made in a time when people drove much slower and much shorter distances. It could be that you are pushing your classic car beyond its capabilities and this is why it is overheating.
Belts and Hoses
Another problem could be the belts or hoses. Depending on how much restorative work you’ve done on your classic automobile, the overheating could be caused by worn or loose belts or cracked hoses, especially if the cooling system hoses are leaking. It’s always a good idea to inspect the belts and hoses the minute you purchase a classic automobile and replace them when needed after that.
Radiator Problems
If your car is quite old and the radiator has never been replaced, chances are the radiator is the reason why your engine keeps overheating. An old radiator can be clogged by corrosion and, in severe cases, the corrosion will have eaten through the bottom of the radiator. Coolant will leak out of the radiator if there are holes in the bottom, and the coolant might have an orange tint to it because it is filled with rust.
Thermostat Issues
Your classic automobile might also have a dead engine thermostat. This part keeps track of the engine’s temperature and releases coolant to cool things down as the engine starts to heat up. Depending on the age of the engine thermostat, it could be going bad or malfunctioning completely, and the consequence is you don’t have engine coolant flowing through the engine.
Blown Head Gasket
Another thing that can happen with age is a blown head gasket. Not only will your engine overheat if the head gasket blows, but you will also likely see steam coming out from underneath the hood, and you might have white exhaust blowing out of the tailpipe. This is a critical engine failure, so you should pull over right away and turn off your classic car’s engine.
To avoid unnecessarily damaging your classic car, stop by Getz Automotive in Fuquay-Varina, NC, for an inspection right away. You can also have your vehicle towed to our shop if you don’t feel it’s safe to drive it.
