Your engine is overheating
Engine overheating issues are a classic sign that something is wrong with your vehicle’s engine cooling system. It’s likely to occur when the system is unable to circulate coolant properly or if the coolant level drops too low or becomes contaminated. Various defects and malfunctions can cause your car to overheat, including a damaged or worn-out water pump.
If your engine does overheat, you’ll likely experience a handful of symptoms. First, you’ll probably notice that the engine temperature gauge on your dash begins to climb toward the red zone. If you see that happening, pull over immediately to avoid further damage or accidents. However, if your temperature gauge is broken, or you just don’t notice it, there are some other signs that your engine is overheating. One of the most obvious of those symptoms is steam or smoke coming from the engine bay. As the engine overheats, it can begin to burn oil and any coolant in the system. That can cause some pretty unsettling clouds to start emanating from under the hood, and it’s a surefire sign that something is wrong. Remember, though, that various problems can cause your engine to overheat, so you’ll likely need a professional inspection to confirm that the water pump is the culprit.
As mentioned, you should stop driving any time you notice symptoms of overheating. If you have access to regular water, you can pour some of it into your radiator in an attempt to make it home or to the repair shop — just remember to be careful, as an overheating engine bay will be violently hot. If you can’t add water to the engine, don’t attempt to drive your car if possible. Make sure you’re parked in a safe place, and then call for help.