Does engine overheating affect the machine?
2 Answers
Engine overheating does affect the machine. In mild cases, it can cause deformation of the cylinder head and cylinder gasket, while in severe cases, it can lead to deformation of internal engine components or even engine failure. If the excessive heat is not dissipated promptly and high-load driving continues, the strength of parts such as pistons, piston rings, and connecting rods can be reduced, or they may even deform. After the engine overheats, immediately reduce the engine speed, use inertia to coast the car to a relatively shady area, let the engine idle, open the engine hood, and wait for the engine temperature to gradually return to normal. After the engine coolant temperature returns to normal, turn off the engine, then continue to wait for a while until the radiator temperature significantly drops. After that, check the engine's coolant level, replenish it to the specified amount, inspect the cooling system again, and confirm there are no other faults before continuing to drive.
That time I took my old car on a long trip, the radiator failed and the engine overheated, which nearly scared me to death. When the temperature got too high, the cylinder head gasket melted completely. The mechanic said the piston heads inside were deformed, and the entire engine was ruined—had to replace it, costing me an extra five or six thousand bucks. The key takeaway is that if you don’t stop the car immediately after overheating, the engine can suffer permanent damage. After learning this lesson, I now check the coolant regularly and always inspect the fan system before driving in summer. Saving a little on prevention is way better than burning cash on repairs later. Plus, overheating affects other components too, like causing the electronics to short-circuit from excess heat. The car might suddenly stall—I almost crashed into a tree that time, it was extremely dangerous.
