Overheating Engine? Causes And Solutions You Need To Know
Posted on: 13 February 2015
It's a scary moment when the car suddenly stops dead in the middle of the road. Opening the hood reveals a steam pouring out of the engine. Unfortunately, the engine has overheated and the car is refusing to go on. There are a few causes and solutions that every driver in this situation should know.
Pressure Cap
After the vehicle cools down, drivers should verify that the pressure cap has not deteriorated. Instead of containing the pressure, it begins to leak out of a broken cap which leads to the cooling system starting to malfunction. As a safety precaution, do not remove the cap while there is hot air pouring out of the car or if the engine is still hot. The steam could bubble up and cause severe burns. A pressure cap can easily be replaced by a mechanic and should not keep someone without transportation for more than a day.
Out Of Oil
Sometimes when life is extremely busy, it can be difficult to remember to replace the coolant in the car. Without this special fluid, the engine will struggle to continue to run and stay at a normal temperature. It is important to wait for the vehicle to cool down before checking the coolant. If it is too hot, there is the possibility that any liquid left over could boil out onto your hand. Once the engine has completely cooled down, it is safe to open the lid and replace the oil. If there is not any oil readily available, room temperature water can be used as a temporary replacement. Do not use ice cold water, as it will crack the engine block.
A Leak In The System
If the easier to fix problems mentioned above are not the issue, it could be a leak in the cooling system. A hose somewhere could be loose or a hole may have developed in one of the hoses. Another problem could potentially be that the pressure in the system caused a hose to completely collapse. An automotive technician should be called to find the leak. The part can usually be replaced within a day or two so that the car owner can be back on the road as quickly as possible.
If the engine overheats and steam is pouring out from underneath car, pull over immediately. Do not remove anything that has hot air escaping from it. Despite having an urge to quickly find and fix the problem, safety should be of primate concern. Some overheated engines can be resolved with a couple of simple steps. Even if the issue is a bad hose, that can be fixed quickly with a short trip to an auto repair shop like Gwizz Auto Group. As long as you address the problem as soon as possible and do not continue to drive the vehicle, you should not have to worry about the overheating engine creating bigger problems.
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