Can You Drive with High Engine Coolant Temperature?
2 Answers
You should not drive when the engine coolant temperature is high. Methods to check for high engine coolant temperature: 1. If the upper radiator hose is hot but the lower one is not when the engine is overheated, the thermostat may be faulty; 2. If there is high water pipe pressure when starting a cold engine, it may indicate a blown head gasket or cracks in the cylinder wall; 3. If there is a milky white substance on the oil cap or floating oil in the coolant, it may indicate a blown head gasket or oil cooler leakage; 4. If some areas of the radiator are not hot or there is a significant temperature difference, the radiator may be clogged; 5. If the cooling fan does not turn on, you can unplug the coolant temperature sensor connector to check if the fan operates to determine its condition; 6. If the cooling fan runs continuously, directly read the data stream to check if the coolant temperature sensor is giving false readings.
Last time I was driving my old Tiguan when the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to the red line. I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and called for a tow truck. The mechanic later told me the radiator fan connector had melted. They explained that once white smoke appears from the engine, it's basically done for - the pistons and cylinder walls fuse into lumps of metal from the extreme heat, and repairs could cost tens of thousands. In such situations, never push your luck. Even stopping on the emergency lane with hazard lights on is better than risking engine seizure by continuing to drive. Now that summer's here, I pop the hood every two weeks to check the coolant level. After all, replacing a thermostat only costs a few hundred, which is way more economical than an engine overhaul, right?
