Why Is The Engine Overheating (and How To Stop It)

Overheating of the engine is a highly risky vehicle malfunction. If not dealt with in a timely manner, it may lead to fatal damage such as cylinder gasket damage and piston jamming, resulting in the direct scrapping of the engine. Understanding the core causes of overheating and mastering emergency stop methods can minimize the losses caused by malfunctions. The following is a detailed explanation.

1、 Common causes of engine overheating

The root cause of engine overheating is often due to cooling system failure or abnormal load, and there are four core reasons. One is insufficient coolant, which may be caused by leakage, long-term failure to replenish or replace, and the lack of coolant will directly reduce the heat dissipation efficiency; The second is a cooling system malfunction, such as a stuck thermostat that cannot be opened, a blocked radiator (with dust or scale buildup), or a malfunctioning cooling fan, all of which can cause poor circulation of the coolant and inability to dissipate heat properly; The third issue is the problem of auxiliary components for heat dissipation. Damage to the water pump leads to insufficient circulation power of the coolant, or damage to the cylinder gasket causes the coolant to mix with the engine oil, damaging the heat dissipation function; The fourth issue is abnormal operating conditions, such as long-term heavy load driving, excessive idling in high-temperature environments, and exceeding the engine's heat dissipation capacity.

2、 Emergency stop method for engine overheating

If signs of overheating such as water temperature gauge alarm and white smoke are found in the engine compartment, emergency measures should be taken according to the following steps: the first step is to immediately turn on the warm air to the maximum gear and use it to assist in dissipating engine heat, which is a key operation for temporary cooling; The second step is to slow down slowly, avoid sudden acceleration or braking, and drive steadily towards a safe area on the roadside for parking. Do not immediately turn off the engine; The third step is to idle for 1-2 minutes, allowing the engine temperature to gradually decrease while observing for any leaks in the engine compartment; Step 4: After the temperature drops significantly (the water temperature gauge returns to the normal range), turn off the engine and wait for complete cooling before checking the coolant level. Do not open the water tank cover directly at high temperatures to prevent scalding from high-temperature coolant spray. If the overheating is severe, it is necessary to call for rescue directly to avoid driving forcefully and aggravating the damage.

3、 Daily Prevention and Follow up Inspection

Daily maintenance can reduce the risk of overheating: regularly check the coolant level and condition, and replace the coolant according to the manual requirements (usually 2-3 years or 40000 to 60000 kilometers); Clean the dust and debris on the surface of the radiator to ensure smooth heat dissipation; Check the working status of cooling fans, water pumps, and other components, and promptly repair any abnormalities found. After repairing the engine overheating, it is necessary to focus on checking the coolant leakage points, cooling system sealing, and cylinder gasket status to avoid the recurrence of faults.