What Are the Consequences of an Overheated Car Engine?
2 Answers
Car engine overheating will result in: decreased engine power, reduced engine air charge coefficient, leading to a decrease in the amount of fresh air-fuel mixture entering the cylinders, and a reduction in the average effective pressure in the cylinders. Engine overheating refers to the excessive temperature of the engine's cooling system. The car engine is the device that provides power to the car, serving as the heart of the vehicle, determining its power, fuel economy, stability, and environmental friendliness. Depending on the power source, car engines can be categorized into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, and hybrid systems. Common gasoline and diesel engines are both types of reciprocating piston internal combustion engines, which convert the chemical energy of fuel into the mechanical energy of piston movement to output power.
Last time my car's engine overheated, it almost scared me to death! I was driving on the highway when suddenly the temperature gauge maxed out, and white smoke started coming from the car. I quickly pulled over to check and found that the coolant had completely leaked out. The consequences were severe—the engine shut down and wouldn’t start, so I had to call a tow truck. The repair shop said the cylinder head was warped and the pistons were burned, costing over 5,000 RMB to fix. What’s worse, if I had kept driving, it could have led to engine seizure or even a fire, which would not only have totaled the car but also endangered lives. Now, I make sure to regularly check the radiator and fan—don’t wait until overheating happens to regret it. Actually, this issue is quite common, especially in summer when high temperatures or excessive AC use can cause poor cooling system performance. I recommend new car owners develop the habit of checking their cooling system at least once a month. Safety comes first—if you break down in a remote area, the consequences could be unimaginable.
