What Happens If an Engine Runs Without Water?
2 Answers
Running an engine without water can lead to increased water temperature, vehicle temperature warnings, and poor engine cooling. Here are some precautions when adding water to your car: Be cautious when opening the radiator cap: Stand on the upwind side of the radiator, wrap the radiator cap with a wet cloth, and tilt your head and body to one side while slowly opening it. Add water slowly: When the engine is hot, the water jacket and radiator are at high temperatures. If water is added too quickly, the cooling water may evaporate and vaporize, causing air resistance. This can lead to a sudden increase in steam pressure within the system, potentially resulting in secondary water spray accidents. Therefore, when adding water, use a fine stream and gradually increase the speed once there is no significant steam escaping from the radiator opening. Use clean cooling water: The cooling water added should be clean, soft water to prevent scale buildup in the cooling system, which could clog the water passages and cause the engine to overheat.
I just experienced an engine boil-over, where the temperature gauge maxed out and white smoke was pouring from the hood seams. The worst part of dry running is the coolant running out, causing direct friction between pistons and cylinder liners, heating up and deforming the aluminum cylinder head in minutes. Last year, my neighbor Old Zhang's car seized due to coolant loss, costing over ten grand in repairs. Now, I always keep two jugs of antifreeze in the trunk for maintenance and always check the overflow tank level before long trips. If you notice a boil-over, remember not to pop the hood immediately—wait for natural cooling before slowly refilling, or you risk severe burns. If towed to the shop for inspection, chances are the head gasket needs replacement, and in severe cases, even the crankshaft may require polishing.
