Does a Car Radiator 'Boiling Over' Cause Damage to the Engine?
4 Answers
Yes, a car radiator 'boiling over' can cause damage to the engine. The temperature of the radiator can be observed from the car's coolant temperature gauge, which generally should not exceed 95°C. When the temperature reaches 100°C, you should stop driving immediately. Below are the hazards of a radiator boiling over: 1. Electric fan damage: If there are issues in the cooling system such as a damaged thermostat, faulty electric fan, or low coolant level, the coolant in the radiator cannot cool down, leading to increased water temperature. 2. Disruption of normal clearances between parts: This prevents the maintenance of proper oil films between parts, which can result in minor issues like engine cylinder or bearing damage, or in severe cases, complete engine failure or even total loss.
Overheating of the radiator is a serious issue! I experienced it once during summer traffic congestion when white smoke suddenly billowed from the engine bay. After consulting a repair shop, I learned that coolant boiling indicates temperatures exceeding 120°C. Metal components expand and contract with heat—minor cases may result in a blown head gasket, while severe cases can lead to piston scuffing, which could cost over ten thousand yuan to fix. That time, I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and waited half an hour for it to cool before adding water—fortunately, no major damage occurred. Remember to regularly check the coolant level and radiator fan. For older cars, it's best to replace the coolant every two years. If overheating occurs, never open the radiator cap immediately—the steam can cause severe burns!
I've been driving trucks for twenty years and have experienced engine overheating seven or eight times. When the cooling system fails, the cylinder head temperature can skyrocket to 140°C, causing aluminum cylinder heads to warp and deform directly. Replacing one costs several thousand yuan. Last week, my neighbor continued driving after the engine overheated, resulting in melted bearing shells and a ruined crankshaft. It's advisable to always keep distilled water in the trunk. In case of overheating, turn the heater to maximum to help dissipate heat, and only add water slowly when the temperature gauge drops to 90°C. Veteran drivers know that when the coolant temperature warning light comes on, you must stop the vehicle immediately—every additional minute is a gamble with the engine's lifespan.
Coolant boiling is absolutely a red alert for the engine! High temperatures can cause a drastic drop in oil viscosity, leading to the rupture of the oil film on cylinder walls and resulting in dry friction between piston rings and cylinders. Last year, my brother's car suffered cylinder scoring after overheating, and when the engine was disassembled, scratch marks were found all over the piston sidewalls. Daily maintenance requires attention to three key points: ensure radiator grilles are not clogged by willow catkins, maintain coolant concentration at 50%, and replace the radiator cap seal every two years. In case of unexpected overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning, activate hazard lights, and pull over safely. Before adding water, cover the radiator cap with a wet cloth and slowly unscrew it to avoid high-pressure steam spray.
