When a car engine boils, it always causes panic in the driver. But do not worry – there are specific steps that will help you avoid serious consequences and save your car. Let’s figure out why this happens and what to do in such situations.
Causes of engine overheating:
Before proceeding, it is important to understand why the engine can overheat. The main reasons are:
Insufficient amount of coolant. This can happen due to a leak or neglecting to regularly check the level of antifreeze.
Thermostat malfunction. If the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, the coolant will not be able to circulate, causing overheating.
Damage to the radiator or fan. A broken radiator or fan is not able to cool the engine properly.
Malfunction of the water pump. The water pump is responsible for the circulation of antifreeze in the system, so its failure stops cooling.
What to do if the engine boils?
Stop immediately
If you see the temperature needle rise to the red zone or notice steam coming from under the hood, stop immediately. Choose a safe place to stop to avoid an emergency.
Do not open the hood immediately
Even if you are itching to see what happened under the hood, wait 10-15 minutes. Opening the hood or expansion tank can cause burns, because the coolant is under high pressure.
Check the coolant level
When the engine cools down a bit, check the antifreeze level. If it is not enough, add it, but only after the engine has completely cooled down. Use the antifreeze recommended by the manufacturer for your car.
Monitor the temperature after startup
After topping up the coolant, start the engine and check if the temperature stabilizes. If everything is normal, you can continue driving, but carefully monitor the temperature indicators.
Check the fan and heatsink
If you have a basic knowledge of the cooling system, check the operation of the radiator fan. If it does not turn on when the temperature is high, this may indicate an electrical problem or a broken fan motor.
If the temperature does not decrease, call a tow truck
If the temperature does not drop even after topping up antifreeze, you cannot drive further. Perhaps the problem is more serious: a damaged cylinder head gasket or a faulty water pump. In this case, it is better to call a tow truck.
How to avoid overheating: prevention
Check the coolant level regularly.
Check the antifreeze level every few weeks, especially during hot periods or before long trips.
Inspect the cooling system.
Periodically check the hoses, thermostat, radiator, and water pump. This will help to detect problems in time.
Avoid overloading the engine.
Do not drive for a long time at high speeds, especially in hot weather or during climbs. This creates an additional load on the cooling system.
If the engine boils, it is not a sentence for your car, but timely action can save it from serious damage. Follow these simple tips and your engine will work long and reliably.
Keep this guide in case of unforeseen situations and share it with other drivers!