What are the symptoms of excessively high car coolant temperature?
2 Answers
The symptoms of excessively high car coolant temperature include: warning alerts for high coolant temperature or engine overheating displayed on the dashboard; the engine cooling fan rotating at high speed with loud noise; engine knocking; significant reduction in engine lubrication, which can subsequently damage various engine components; in severe cases, it may lead to engine bearing failure, rendering the engine unable to start. The main causes of excessively high car radiator temperature are: insufficient coolant. This issue can be checked by oneself, but do not immediately open the radiator cap or reservoir cap after parking, as the high internal pressure may cause instant ejection, risking scalding. Wait for the temperature to cool down slightly before slowly opening the radiator cap. A dirty radiator. The radiator has many pores formed by cooling fins, which can easily accumulate lint, sludge, etc., reducing ventilation and cooling efficiency. In such cases, the radiator can be cleaned. Malfunction of certain components, such as a faulty cooling fan; faulty circulation water pump; faulty thermostat; poor radiator cooling performance, etc.
When the car's water temperature soars too high, that temperature gauge will definitely light up red or enter the red zone, which is not a good sign. First, you'll smell a pungent steam odor—coolant boiling and bubbling like a hot pot restaurant. If you keep driving, the engine will immediately start acting up, making strange noises, with power dropping straight down, and even stepping on the gas won't help. In severe cases, it might just stall, leaving you stranded on the roadside struggling to call a tow truck. Why does this happen? Common causes include low or leaking coolant, or a clogged radiator with a non-functioning fan. Ignoring it comes at a high cost—internal engine components like the cylinder head could warp or crack, leading to repairs costing thousands. When driving daily, keep an eye on the gauges; if the temperature rises, pull over and wait for the car to cool down before checking fluid levels—adding some distilled water can help in a pinch. For prevention, change the coolant every six months and clean the radiator to prevent dust buildup.
