What are the hazards of excessive engine temperature?
3 Answers
When the engine temperature is too high, it will reduce engine power and increase fuel consumption. The following are related introductions about the hazards caused by excessive engine temperature: 1. Intensified wear of mechanical parts: The lubricating oil will oxidize and deteriorate due to excessive temperature, and the gum and deposits will adhere to the friction surfaces of piston rings, cylinder walls, and other parts, reducing thermal conductivity. The viscosity of the lubricating oil decreases, the oil pressure drops, and the lubricity deteriorates. The oil film on the cylinder wall weakens in strength under the influence of impact loads, thereby intensifying the wear of mechanical parts. 2. High-temperature judgment: The engine has its own operating temperature, which is mostly between 80-90 degrees for most cars. To maintain this temperature, it is necessary to ensure that the car's cooling system can operate normally. The temperature displayed on the car's dashboard is actually the temperature of the antifreeze in the cooling system, which directly reflects the engine's temperature condition. If the temperature gauge does not exceed the red indicator line on the dashboard, it is normal. If it exceeds this indicator line, it means the engine temperature is too high.
Last time I went on a long-distance drive, I noticed the temperature gauge was in the red halfway through, and my heart skipped a beat. An overheated engine is no joke. First, metal components like pistons and cylinders can expand excessively, easily leading to cylinder scoring, which would require a complete engine overhaul. The engine oil also becomes as thin as water under high temperatures, losing its lubricating properties, resulting in bearing wear and even a ruined crankshaft. The worst-case scenario is if the cylinder head gasket burns through from the heat, allowing coolant to mix with the engine oil—that would pretty much mean the engine is done for. It could also cause the radiator to burst, spraying coolant everywhere, and being stranded on the road is no laughing matter. Later, I spent over 8,000 yuan at the repair shop, and since then, I’ve been checking the cooling system regularly.
Our auto repair shop receives too many cases of engine overheating, and the damages are basically unavoidable. The most common issue is cylinder scuffing, where the piston rings get stuck directly in the cylinder bore. Next, the crankshaft connecting rod bearings can suffer from insufficient lubrication and burn out, making repairs particularly troublesome. High temperatures also cause rubber oil seals to rapidly age and deform, leading to various oil and coolant leaks. The chemical structure of engine oil can be destroyed under high temperatures, not only losing its lubricating properties but also forming sludge that clogs oil passages. Additionally, when the coolant temperature is too high, the radiator pressure can surge beyond the safety valve threshold, potentially causing the cooling lines to burst. Even more frustrating is that many sensors malfunction under high temperatures, and the onboard computer may report false trouble codes. In such cases, it's best to shut off the engine immediately to cool it down.
