Will the car be damaged if the coolant leaks completely and the engine overheats?
2 Answers
It can directly damage the engine. Here is some relevant information about coolant: 1. Introduction: Coolant is a cooling liquid containing special additives, mainly used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It has excellent properties such as antifreeze in winter, anti-boil in summer, and year-round protection against scale and corrosion. 2. Chemical composition: Currently, over 95% of coolants used domestically and internationally are ethylene glycol-based aqueous solutions. Compared with tap water, the most notable feature of ethylene glycol is its antifreeze capability, whereas water cannot prevent freezing. Additionally, ethylene glycol has a high boiling point, low volatility, moderate viscosity with minimal temperature variation, and good thermal stability. Therefore, ethylene glycol-based coolant is an ideal cooling solution.
As a car mechanic, I've seen too many vehicles suffer from engine overheating due to coolant leaks, which causes massive damage. When engine temperatures skyrocket, pistons can melt directly, cylinder heads may warp, and crankshaft bearings can burn out—these are all permanent damages. Engine oil can gel and fail under high temperatures, leading to lubrication system collapse and overall performance failure. Repairs are costly and labor-intensive, often requiring engine block replacement that costs thousands or even tens of thousands. My advice is to stop and check immediately when the coolant warning light comes on—don't push it. Regular inspections of the cooling system, such as checking for aged or leaking rubber hoses and ensuring the coolant reservoir is full, can prevent major troubles. Ignoring this issue significantly shortens the vehicle's lifespan and increases safety risks—it's truly something to take seriously.
