What faults can high temperature cause to an engine?
4 Answers
High temperature in a vehicle can lead to engine damage. When the engine is running, it generates significant heat, which is managed by the cooling system comprising coolant, cooling fans, and the radiator. If there is insufficient coolant, the engine temperature will continue to rise. Due to the principle of thermal expansion, internal engine components will expand, potentially causing cylinder scuffing. Below is relevant information about the radiator: 1. Concept: The car radiator, also known as a heat exchanger, is a key component of the vehicle's cooling system. Its function is to dissipate heat. The coolant absorbs heat from the engine block, circulates to the radiator where the heat is released, and then returns to the engine block to repeat the cycle, thereby regulating temperature. It is an integral part of the automobile engine. 2. Working Principle: The radiator is a crucial part of a water-cooled engine's thermal management system. As a major component of the cooling circuit, it absorbs heat from the engine block to prevent overheating. Given water's high specific heat capacity, it can absorb substantial heat from the engine block without a significant temperature rise itself, allowing the engine's heat to be effectively transferred through the liquid cooling circuit.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've seen numerous engine failures caused by overheating. Pistons expand under high temperatures and seize in the cylinders, rendering the engine completely immobile. Cylinder head deformation is even more problematic—once warped, it burns out the head gasket, mixing coolant with engine oil and leading to lubrication failure, which severely damages the bearings. Bent valves cause compression leaks, resulting in a noticeable drop in power. Worse yet, engine oil thins out under high heat, increasing friction between components and leading to cylinder scoring or block damage, drastically raising the risk of total engine failure. Once, during a long-distance drive, my temperature gauge spiked into the red. Fortunately, I pulled over and discovered the cooling fan had failed, averting a major disaster. That's why I now make it a habit to change the coolant every season and regularly flush the radiator.
I haven't been driving for long, but I fully understand the severe damage high temperatures can cause to an engine. Common failures include piston seizure, cylinder head deformation leading to oil and coolant leaks, bearing failure due to degraded engine oil, bent valves resulting in insufficient compression, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring. The entire repair can cost over ten thousand yuan. My neighbor's car had its pistons seized due to overheating, requiring a tow and major repairs that cost more than 8,000 yuan. This experience taught me a lesson—now I always keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge, avoid prolonged high-speed driving, and regularly check the fan and water pump to maintain stable engine temperature. Prevention is effortless and saves both trouble and money.
I'm a car enthusiast, and I often discuss engine overheating issues. It can damage piston rings, cause excessive metal expansion leading to seizure; warp cylinder heads and burn out gaskets; degrade lubricating oil, increasing component wear; and in severe cases, bend valves, reduce power, or even cause engine seizure. I've seen many examples on forums where cooling system neglect was the culprit, such as clogged radiators or faulty thermostats. Now, when maintaining my car, I emphasize checking coolant circulation and fan speed to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
