
Gasoline engine stalling due to high temperature may be caused by insufficient engine power, excessively high temperature inside the combustion chamber, or excessive thermal expansion of the piston. The specific reasons are as follows: Insufficient engine power: When the engine temperature is too high, the temperature of the air entering the engine also increases, resulting in a reduced actual volume of air entering the engine. This lowers the engine's charging efficiency, subsequently decreasing the engine's power and torque, manifesting as insufficient engine power. Excessively high temperature inside the combustion chamber: When the engine temperature is too high, the temperature inside the combustion chamber becomes extremely high, easily reaching the ignition point of gasoline and igniting the air-fuel mixture, leading to detonation. This causes severe engine impact and vibration, subjecting components to additional impact loads and resulting in premature damage. Excessive thermal expansion of the piston: When the engine temperature is too high, the piston undergoes excessive thermal expansion, reducing or even eliminating the clearance between the piston and the cylinder wall. This increases the resistance to piston movement and may even cause scoring on the piston and cylinder wall. The normal clearances of other moving parts are also disrupted, leading to accelerated wear or even damage.

When the engine overheats and shuts down, it's usually due to issues in the cooling system. I've found the most common causes are coolant leaks or contamination reducing heat dissipation efficiency, such as radiator corrosion or aging rubber hose leaks. Non-functioning fans are another critical problem - if the electric fan's sensor fails or the fuse blows, it can't blow away the heat. Once the water pump fails, coolant circulation stops, easily causing overheating. Additionally, a stuck thermostat unable to regulate flow, or using inferior antifreeze causing sediment buildup that blocks passages. The engine ECU has self-protection functions that force shutdown when detecting overheating to prevent serious damage. Regular checks of coolant concentration and radiator cleanliness can significantly reduce such failures. Owners often neglect cleaning radiator fins during maintenance - dust accumulation worsens heat dissipation, especially during high-temperature summer driving when shutdown problems are more likely to occur.

Last time during a long-distance drive, my beloved car suddenly stalled on the highway in hot weather, with the coolant temperature skyrocketing—it was quite a scare. The investigation revealed it was mainly due to insufficient coolant that wasn't replenished in time, coupled with a loose connection in the fan motor, leading to inadequate heat dissipation. Under high temperatures, the engine's metal expands, causing poor valve sealing and reduced compression; oil-fouled spark plugs can also lead to ignition failure and automatic shutdown. A stuck thermostat interrupting the circulation is another trigger, and sometimes sludge clogging the water pump can impede fluid flow, causing temperatures to rise even faster. A reminder to everyone: before long trips, always check the coolant level and ensure the fan is operational. Maintain a reasonable driving speed instead of always pushing the upper limit, especially when climbing hills—pay attention to RPM changes to avoid overloading the engine and causing issues.

One of the most annoying issues during daily driving is engine stalling due to overheating, often caused by improper cooling. Aged or leaking coolant can render the cooling system ineffective, while faulty fans or stuck water pumps are common culprits. Replacing the thermostat a few times has helped alleviate the issue, as a stuck thermostat can block proper coolant circulation. Additionally, spark plug carbon buildup is prone to ignition failure under high temperatures, leading to stalling. For prevention, regular checks of fluid levels and radiator cleaning are crucial. Avoiding frequent short-distance start-stop cycles and keeping the engine clean to minimize dirt buildup are also important.


