What does it mean when a car boils over?

[Beckett]

When a car boils over, it means the engine's operating temperature is higher than the normal working temperature, which affects the machine's normal operation and can cause damage to the engine. The reasons for a car boiling over include: 1. High-temperature weather conditions; 2. Overloaded air conditioning operation and faulty cooling components; 3. Radiator leakage; 4. Insufficient or deteriorated coolant; 5. Blocked coolant circulation system; 6. Thermostat failure; 7. Engine water pump failure. The methods to handle a car boiling over are: 1. Pull over and let the engine idle for a while; 2. Cool the radiator with water, then turn off the engine and replace the belt; 3. After the engine has completely cooled down, replace the water hose and add coolant.

[IslaLynn]

In our auto repair shop, what we commonly refer to as 'boiling over' means the engine coolant temperature has skyrocketed. The coolant is bubbling violently, and white smoke is billowing out from under the hood. This situation is often caused by a clogged radiator, a broken fan, or leaking coolant hoses. Just the other day, an old Santana had a 'boiling over' incident because the radiator cap's sealing ring had aged, causing most of the coolant to evaporate. If you see the temperature gauge needle hitting the red line, immediately turn off the air conditioning, pull over, and wait for the engine to cool down naturally before calling a tow truck. Continuing to drive in this condition will almost certainly lead to cylinder scoring and require a major engine overhaul.

[ReidFitz]

Last month when I was driving to the suburbs for fun, suddenly the dashboard lights flashed red and beeped wildly, which scared me so much that I immediately pulled over to check. The engine hood was too hot to touch, and the coolant was spraying out like boiling hot pot soup! The 4S shop later diagnosed it as a stuck thermostat, causing hot water to circulate endlessly in the engine. That repair cost me nearly a thousand yuan. Now I've developed a habit of checking the coolant reservoir before every start, and I even keep a bottle of purified water in the trunk for emergencies during long trips.

[MacHaley]

After driving for over a decade, the thing I fear most is engine overheating. When you smell the sickly-sweet vapor of coolant or see the temperature gauge hitting the red zone, immediately ease off the throttle and find a safe spot to pull over. Remember, don't pop the hood right away! Wait about fifteen minutes for the temperature to drop before opening it with a damp cloth as padding. If it's low on coolant, add room-temperature purified water—never pour cold water directly as it can crack the engine block. For regular car owners, keeping an OBD scanner handy is quite practical; it'll alert you if the coolant temperature exceeds 95°C.