5 Unmistakable Signs Your Volvo S40 Engine Is Overheating From Experts in San Rafael

There are certain luxury car models that completely dominate the high-end car market due to their innovative features and performance. Among the various popular automotive brands, Volvo is one such brand that is giving everyone a run for their money.

Volvo produces many models ranging from premium hatchbacks to high-end sedans and luxurious SUVs. Among the various models, the Volvo S40 is one of the most sought-after sedans. The popularity of the Volvo S40 can be gauged from the number of cars that one gets to see on the road of San Rafael.

The Volvo S40 comes equipped with many advanced features but these features don’t make your S40 immune to issues. The engine is the most important part of your Volvo S40 and also poses a cause of concern for many drivers.

Most of the time it is observed that the engine of your Volvo overheats abnormally. There are various factors that can cause overheating issues in the engine. You need to address the problem immediately as prolong heating can damage the engine severely.

Here in this article, we will discuss the 5 unmistakable signs of engine overheating in your Volvo S40.

Illumination of the temperature gauge

All the modern cars are coming equipped with a temperature gauge on the dashboard that informs the driver about the temperature of the engine when the car is running. The temperature gauge has markings indicating the temperature of the engine from minimum to maximum.

If you observe that the warning light flashing on the gauge indicates maximum, then it means excessive heat is being generated by the engine. However, don’t trust the illumination of this warning light blindly. This is because the temperature gauge illuminates taking into account the temperature of the coolant & if there is a coolant leak, it will not be able to measure the temperature.

Abnormal noise

The engine oil plays a crucial role in lubricating the various parts inside the engine for their smooth functioning. If the engine oil fails to lubricate any of the parts in your engine, then you are going to hear a ticking noise. This happens mostly when the engine oil loses its ability to lubricate because of overheating.

Whenever you get to hear this sound, then you should know at some point the engine oil has overheated. This is possible only when the parts of the engine heat up beyond what is normal. At these unusually high temperatures, the parts of your engine clack against each other & undergo wear and tear at a much higher rate.

Steam from hood

A prominent sign of overheating in your Volvo S40 is the emergence of steam from under the hood of your car. You may mistake it for smoke but it is vapor. The engine, radiator, and cooling system are located under the hood of your car. The cooling system is responsible for preventing the engine from overheating.

The coolant circulated through the engine to observe the temperature from the engine. The emergence of steam from under the hood signals that the coolant might be leaking somewhere. In addition to this, the presence of a large puddle under the hood of the car also signals coolant leakage.

Another possibility is that your engine might have overheated and the coolant has boiled over and leaks out of the car. This is a serious issue and needs to be taken care of quickly. All the parts must be repaired properly and the coolant must be refilled.

Unusual smell

You will experience an unusual odor when the engine of your car heats up and starts burning oil. The abnormal increase in the temperature also burns the rubber seals, plastic valves, and bits of resins holding the engine in its place inside the hood.

The burning of all these components releases a foul smell which you are going to feel inside the cabin of your car. Drivers generally describe the odor as a “hot smell”. However, if it is a sweet smell coming inside the cabin, then it is the coolant that is leaking.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the signs that are exhibited by your Volvo S40 whenever the engine overheats. Most of the problems in the engine are caused due to a lack of proper maintenance. The best way to deal with these problems is to go for preventative maintenance that takes care of any problem before it turns worse.