What Hazards Can Engine Overheating Cause?

[DylanAnn]

Engine overheating can lead to several hazards including decreased engine charging efficiency, abnormal combustion, oil degradation, and ignition wire damage. Decreased engine charging efficiency: Due to engine overheating, the temperature inside the engine compartment rises, reducing the engine's air intake capacity. Abnormal combustion: The temperature of the air-fuel mixture entering the cylinders increases, raising the overall operating cycle temperature of the engine. With low radiator efficiency, the engine remains overheated, causing the end-gas mixture in the combustion chamber to absorb more heat, accelerating pre-flame reactions and increasing the likelihood of knocking. Oil degradation: Under high temperature and pressure, engine oil's oxidation stability deteriorates, accelerating thermal decomposition, oxidation, and polymerization processes. Ignition wire damage: When driving in high-temperature environments, overheating ignition coils can weaken high-voltage sparks, leading to engine misfires at high speeds. In severe cases, ignition coils may burn out, affecting normal vehicle operation. Causes of engine overheating: Water pump failure: A damaged water pump prevents coolant from circulating in the cooling system, failing to dissipate heat generated by engine combustion. Insufficient or substandard coolant: Lack of coolant means no cooling medium in the system to transfer engine heat, causing overheating. Additionally, modern engines operate above water's boiling point; using water or unqualified coolant can also lead to overheating. Thermostat failure: A malfunctioning or stuck thermostat restricts the engine to a small coolant loop, rendering the radiator ineffective and reducing cooling capacity, resulting in overheating. Fan issues: Fan problems may stem from physical damage (e.g., broken blades, seized operation, or snapped belts) or control circuit failures preventing proper electronic fan operation. Dirty radiator surface: Contaminants on the radiator impair heat conduction, hindering effective heat dissipation to the air and causing engine overheating. How to handle engine overheating: Stop driving and open the hood to allow heat dissipation. Apply coolant over the engine to facilitate heat removal through circulation.