What causes coolant to boil and overflow?
4 Answers
Coolant boiling and overflowing may indicate radiator damage or a connection between the oil seat and water channel. Below is an introduction to the car radiator: Introduction: The radiator is part of the vehicle's cooling system. In an engine water-cooling system, the radiator consists of three main components: the inlet chamber, outlet chamber, main plate, and radiator core. Fault: The radiator hoses in the engine can deteriorate over time with prolonged use, becoming prone to cracking, which allows water to easily enter the radiator. If a hose bursts while driving, the high-temperature water spray can form large clouds of steam escaping from under the engine hood. When this occurs, immediately park in a safe location and take emergency measures to address the issue.
Coolant boiling over is usually due to engine overheating. I've encountered this situation several times, and the most common cause is insufficient coolant—possibly from a minor radiator leak or a loose cap causing pressure loss. Another reason could be a malfunctioning water pump that stops circulating coolant, leading to rapid temperature spikes, or a fan that fails to operate when parked, reducing heat dissipation. More severe issues include radiator blockage or thermostat failure. In such cases, you must immediately stop the car and turn off the engine—never continue driving, as it may cause engine overheating, cylinder scoring, or even total engine failure. After the car cools down, check the coolant level and add the same type of coolant carefully (avoid burns). Then, drive to a professional repair shop as soon as possible to diagnose the issue. Regular maintenance, including coolant replacement, can prevent these problems—especially before long summer trips, always double-check beforehand.
I've also experienced coolant boiling and bubbling while driving, that time was in a congested area where the fan got stuck and stopped working. The reasons are actually quite common, such as coolant leakage leading to low levels which lowers the boiling point, or a faulty water pump failing to circulate coolant to the radiator for cooling. It could also be a stuck thermostat blocking the coolant flow path, causing temperatures to skyrocket. When the engine overheats, the coolant can boil over like boiling water, which is dangerous—if not addressed, internal engine components can get damaged or even fuse together. From my experience, upon noticing this, immediately pull over, turn off the engine, and wait for it to cool down. Do a quick check for obvious leaks, add some fresh coolant, then drive slowly to a repair shop for a detailed inspection. Daily driving should include keeping an eye on the temperature gauge to prevent overheating—prevention is better than cure.
Seeing the coolant boiling and overflowing indicates the engine is overheating. Common causes include low coolant level possibly due to a system leak requiring replenishment, or a non-functioning fan causing insufficient cooling. When the water pump fails, the coolant stops circulating and heats up faster. A faulty thermostat may also cause this issue. Immediately stop the car and turn off the engine—safety first to prevent engine damage. Wait for the car to cool down, add some coolant, check the situation, and then drive to get it repaired—don't take risks. Regular maintenance helps avoid such troubles.
