What to Do When Engine Coolant Temperature is Too High?
3 Answers
Engine coolant temperature is too high solution is: unscrew the radiator cap a small slit, wait for the steam to slowly discharge, after the radiator pressure drops, add cold water or coolant. The reasons for engine coolant temperature being too high are: 1. The outer surface of the radiator is too dirty or internally clogged; 2. Insufficient or leaking coolant; 3. Damaged thermostat; 4. Damaged water pump; 5. Damaged cooling fan and control system. The main functions of coolant are: 1. During winter parking, prevent the coolant from freezing and expanding to crack the radiator and freeze the engine cylinder block or cover; 2. During high summer temperatures, effectively prevent boiling and avoid the phenomenon of overheating.
I've encountered engine coolant overheating a few times in my 20+ years of driving, and handling it requires experience. First, immediately pull over, turn off the engine, and open the hood to let it cool naturally for at least half an hour—never rush to add coolant as hot steam can cause severe burns. After cooling, check the coolant reservoir level; if it's below the minimum mark, it could indicate a leak or evaporation. You can add distilled water as a temporary fix, but only for short distances. If the level is normal, the issue might be a faulty water pump, non-functioning fan, or clogged radiator preventing heat dissipation—call a tow truck for professional repairs immediately. Make it a habit to check coolant color and level quarterly, ensuring the system is sealed properly, especially testing fan functionality before summer heat to avoid breakdowns on highways. Once, I neglected a faulty fan relay, causing the temperature to spike and nearly destroying the engine—now I never delay such issues. Safety first; timely action is always better than regret, as engine repairs can be extremely costly.
Last time I went on a road trip, the temperature warning light on the dashboard suddenly lit up, which made me panic. Fortunately, I remembered what experienced drivers said and immediately slowed down, pulled over, turned off the engine, and turned on the hazard lights to alert other drivers. I waited for about twenty minutes before daring to open the hood. Upon checking, I found the coolant reservoir was empty—definitely due to a leak from aging pipes. I quickly grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the trunk and slowly poured it in—just adding plain water as an emergency measure, being careful not to overfill and strain the engine. Once the temperature dropped, I drove slowly to a nearby repair shop for inspection, and it turned out the thermostat was stuck and needed replacement. Now I’ve learned my lesson—I check the coolant level before every drive and even use a reminder app to track maintenance dates, which gives me much more peace of mind on the road. Back when I was a novice, I ignored a minor coolant leak, which led to engine overheating and deformation, costing me over ten thousand in repairs—definitely not worth it. Keeping some distilled water in the car allows me to handle sudden temperature spikes promptly, avoiding the fear of breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
