As specialists in quality replacement heavy-duty engine parts, at Jaytrac we are here to help our customers maintain and improve the efficiency of their equipment. We like to give guidance on how to spot common faults, how to know when to replace your equipment parts, and importantly, help you understand why your machines may not be working at full capacity.

When it comes to heavy-duty engines, overheating is a concern that must be addressed promptly in order to avoid downtime and further damage. We recommend adopting an effective maintenance regime to keep engines in good working order, whilst helping to prevent any occurring overheating issues. With the handy guide below, you can feel confident diagnosing the reason behind why your engine may be overheating.  

Thermostat issues

Your thermostat is positioned between the engine and radiator and is responsible for regulating your engine’s temperature. Overheating can be caused by your engine’s thermostat not opening and closing properly at the correct temperature. A defective thermostat may remain closed, which can restrict the movement of coolant around the engine.

Problems with engine coolant

Keeping your engine coolant at the correct levels is vital in ensuring your engine does not overheat. You should ensure that your coolant levels are not too low, and that your engine is not losing coolant through leaks or cracks in the cylinder head. We recommend regularly keeping an eye out for leaks around your engine, particularly around gaskets, hoses, water pumps, the thermostat, and the radiator, as this may indicate loss of coolant. Using the correct coolant and corrosion inhibitor is also vital. Please refer to your manufacture’s recommendations.

Air pockets

Occasionally, you may find air pockets trapped within the cooling system of your engine. This can occur during the process of draining coolant from your engine as part of maintenance or repairs. To avoid engine overheating, we suggest bleeding air pockets before starting your engine. Some heavy-duty engine radiators have valves and holes to assist with bleeding air pockets from your coolant system.

Engine monitoring 

Modern engines and machines have accurate water and oil temperature monitoring and management systems. Please make yourself aware of these and check any temperature related warning codes.

If you notice overheating within your heavy-duty engine, always consult your specific manufacturer’s instructions for your system for guidance. However in some instances, replacement parts might be necessary. If this is the case, get in touch with one of our friendly team members today and we can supply you with quality replacement parts for many brands including Caterpillar, Cummins, Volvo and Komatsu. With our long-established contacts in the industry, we source and supply the best parts, striving to meet the needs of our diverse customer base.