How to Deal with High Temperature in Car Radiator?
3 Answers
Keep the engine running at idle for a period of time. Turn on the air conditioning to the maximum heating position to help dissipate heat. Open the engine hood to assist in heat dissipation, and wait until the coolant temperature drops to normal before turning off the engine.
Last summer while driving back to my hometown, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to red, so I quickly pulled over to avoid engine damage. After stopping, don't immediately open the hood—hot steam can cause burns; it's best to wait 20 minutes for it to cool down. Open the hood to check the coolant reservoir; if the level is low, add distilled water or coolant as a temporary fix, but avoid adding cold water to a hot system to prevent cracking. Check if the fan is running—sometimes a faulty fan that doesn't cool causes overheating; if the radiator exterior is dirty or clogged, it also affects cooling. Once, my issue was a broken fan, and replacing it fixed the problem. Also, turning the AC to max heat with high fan speed can help cool the engine a little. After handling it, get to a professional shop ASAP to check for leaks or flush the radiator. For prevention, regularly inspect the cooling system and replace the coolant.
With my experience, common causes of high engine temperature include insufficient coolant, fan failure, water pump malfunction, or a stuck thermostat. If you notice the temperature rising, immediately pull over to a safe spot and turn on the heater to assist cooling. Once the engine cools, check the coolant level—top it up with distilled water if low, but avoid overfilling. Inspect if the fan is working; if not, it might be a fuse issue or a faulty motor. A failing water pump often produces unusual noises, and a stuck thermostat prevents coolant circulation. Once, I fixed the issue by cleaning a clogged cooling system. Regularly replace coolant every two years and check hoses for aging or leaks. Never continue driving with an overheating engine, as it can lead to costly engine damage.
