What to Do When the Engine Overheats Warning Appears?
2 Answers
Methods to cool down the engine are as follows: 1. Add coolant. High engine temperature is often due to insufficient coolant in the antifreeze reservoir. Since there are many small tubes on the antifreeze reservoir, if the coolant leakage is caused by loosening, you can choose to wrap the damaged tube with a rope or plastic bag. 2. Inspect the electric fan. If the fan does not turn when the water temperature reaches the red line, it indicates that the fan thermostat switch has been burned out. Below are precautions for engine maintenance: 1. Do not blindly remove the engine thermostat. Removing the thermostat due to high engine temperature will cause the coolant to only circulate in a large loop, unable to adjust the cooling intensity. This makes it difficult to ensure the engine operates at an appropriate temperature, often leaving it in a low-temperature state, resulting in reduced engine power, accelerated wear, and increased fuel consumption. 2. The water pump fan belt should not be overly tight. A tighter belt is not necessarily better. An excessively tight belt will not only stretch or break, shortening its lifespan, but also cause excessive tension, leading to deformation and bending of the generator shaft and water pump shaft, as well as premature damage to the bearings.
I've encountered the engine overheating warning several times, and experience tells me not to panic. When you see a red light on the dashboard or the temperature gauge soaring, immediately find a safe place to pull over, turn off the engine, and let it cool down. This waiting period is about ten minutes—don't rush to open the hood, as the heat can cause burns. Check the coolant reservoir: if the level is below the minimum mark, there might be a leak or insufficient coolant; whether the fan is working properly is also a key point. I've also noticed that during long summer drives, the radiator tends to accumulate dust, leading to poor heat dissipation, so it's important to clean the radiator dust during regular car washes. If the problem isn't resolved and you continue driving, the engine pistons or cylinder block could melt, resulting in repair costs exceeding tens of thousands. It's advisable to call for roadside assistance to tow the car to a repair shop after stopping, and to develop a habit of checking the cooling system every six months to minimize risks.
