[Car Engine Overheating] 4 Causes, Symptoms, and Side Effects | Emergency Treatment | Self-Immolation Insurance Coverage

We often hear news about cars burning up due to spontaneous combustion, especially in the hot summer. In fact, if the car is not properly maintained or the parts are damaged, the chance of the parts overheating and burning up in high temperature environment will double, and the consequences can be serious or minor. Kwiksure detailed explanation engine main causes, symptoms and side effects of overheating, emergency treatment steps and related insurance information.

4 Reasons Your Engine Overheats

Engine is the core component of the car. If the operating temperature is too high, it will not only affect the performance, but also cause serious damage. In fact, engine overheating is usually not caused by engine failure, but by the cooling system (cooling system and air conditioning system is two separate operating systemsThe cooling system is responsible for effectively dissipating the heat generated by the engine and keeping the engine operating within a safe temperature range. The following are common causes of engine overheating:

1. Insufficient coolant or leaking

Coolant (also known as radiator water) is crucial for dissipating heat from the engine. Leakage due to cracks in the radiator, damaged pipes, or poor seals can cause the coolant level to become too low. Once the coolant is insufficient, cooling effectiveness is significantly impaired, causing the engine temperature to rise rapidly.

2.Radiator fan failure

The radiator fan is installed behind the radiator. When the engine temperature is too high, the radiator fan will start, increasing air flow to cool the radiator and thus keep the engine temperature below zero. If the fan blades are stuck, the belt is slipping, or the belt is broken, the fan will not function properly, and the cooling capacity will be impaired, causing the engine temperature to remain high.

3. Thermostat failure

The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant to maintain the engine at normal operating temperature. A malfunction of the thermostat will prevent the coolant from circulating properly, causing the engine temperature to continue to rise.

4. Other factors

This includes radiator blockage, poor sealing of the radiator cap, abnormal cooling system pressure, etc., which can also affect the engine's heat dissipation function and cause overheating.

How do I know if my engine is overheating?

The water temperature warning light comes on

When the engine temperature is too high, the Coolant Temperature Warning Light on the dashboard will usually light up.The light symbol is a red thermometer on the ripples, which is a danger warning to remind the driver to deal with it immediately.

White hot steam

When the engine overheats, the water in the cooling system may boil and produce steam.Open the hood and you will see billowing white smoke, which is a clear sign of coolant overheating.。

Sudden drop in engine performance

Engine overheating can lead to stalling, loss of acceleration, difficulty starting, etc., sometimes the engine will make a sharp noise or vibration.

Abnormal heating in the car

When a problem occurs in the cooling system, The heating outlet may blow out hot air or alternate between hot and cold air, because the coolant circulation is abnormal.

Abnormal exhaust

Overheating may cause abnormal smoke in the exhaust, such as blue smoke (piston ring problem), white smoke (coolant infiltration), etc., are also signals of engine abnormality.

Radiator fan failure causes insufficient heat dissipation

If there is a problem with the radiator fan, the heat dissipation will be reduced, the water temperature will rise rapidly, and the water temperature pointer on the dashboard will point to the red area (or H, depending on the model).

Engine overheating treatment methods

If you notice your engine overheating, do not continue to drive it. Doing so can cause the engine to burn out or even explode, resulting in significant repair costs. We offer the following steps to minimize further damage.

Stop the car safely to avoid immediate stalling

Slowly stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn on the double yellow lights to alert the vehicles behind you.Be careful not to turn off the engine immediately, as this may cause the engine to overheat locally and cause more serious damage.，Wait until the engine temperature drops slightly before turning off the engine.

Wait for the engine to cool down and carefully open the hood

Overheated coolant may spray out at high pressure. Wear gloves or cover the hood with a cloth before opening it to avoid burns. It is recommended to wait for 5 to 10 minutes for the heat to subside before opening the hood.

Check the coolant level

Make sure the water tank cap is loose, then carefully open the water tank cap and check the coolant level of the main and auxiliary water tanks.If the water level is significantly low, temporarily add an appropriate amount of distilled water (avoid adding cold water to prevent thermal expansion and contraction from damaging the engine). If there are signs of coolant leakage, send the car for repair as soon as possible.

Turn off the air conditioning and turn on the heater and fan

The air conditioner will increase the burden on the engine, so it is recommended to turn it off temporarily.Turn on the heater and adjust the fan speed to the highest setting, using the car's heating system to dissipate some of the engine heat.

Seek professional repair help as soon as possible

After completing the above simple emergency measures, notify a tow truck or visit a garage for inspection as soon as possible. Do not restart the vehicle. Additionally, perform regular maintenance on the cooling system during daily driving, checking the radiator fluid level, fan operation, thermostat, and water pipe condition.

The aftermath of engine overheating

When an engine is subjected to improperly handled high temperature, it may produce minor or major sequelae.

• The cylinder head or cylinder is deformed or cracked, resulting in air leakage or even damage.

• High temperature will reduce the sealing performance of piston rings, causing them to lose elasticity and cause the piston to operate unevenly, leading to increased fuel consumption and carbon deposits, and reducing engine efficiency.

• The aging and hardening of seals lead to oil leakage, further aggravating the wear of machine parts.

• Engine oil performance deteriorates at high temperatures, losing its heat dissipation and protective functions, making engine parts more susceptible to wear and failure.

• High temperature environment accelerates the aging of electronic components and rubber pipes, which may cause other failures.

• If overheating is not dealt with for a long time, the engine structure may be permanently damaged and the repair cost will be very high.

How to prevent engine overheating?

The coolant should be checked and replaced regularly. Maintaining an appropriate amount of coolant is the most important preventive measure to avoid coolant aging and resulting in a decrease in heat dissipation efficiency.

Inspect cooling system components: including fans, radiators, water pumps and thermal sensors.

Avoid idling for long periods of time: especially in hot weather, as idling in hot weather will increase the burden on the engine.

Pay attention to your driving habits: Pay attention to changes in engine temperature while driving, and reduce speed and load as soon as possible if overheating occurs.

Is there insurance coverage for car self-immolation?

Car engine overheating leads to self-immolation. If you buy a suitable Comprehensive car insurance (Commonly known as "full coverage"), you can usually get compensation from the insurance company. This is because the damage portion of car insurance generally covers fire damage caused by internal reasons such as electrical short circuits, engine failure, and oil line problems.

However, whether the claim will be paid in the end depends on the specific circumstances and insurance terms. For example, if the car owner has modified the car illegally or committed illegal acts (such as modifying the fuel supply system without permission), the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim. Third Party Insurance does not cover vehicle spontaneous combustion damage, only Comprehensive car insurance only then can you get compensation.

In addition, to speed up the claims process, you must call the police and notify the insurance company immediately after the incident, and provide written certification from the fire department or police, which will help speed up the claims process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you turn off your car engine immediately if it overheats?

If you notice your engine is overheating, do not immediately shut it off. This can cause localized overheating, potentially causing more serious damage. Instead, slowly stop your vehicle in a safe location, turn on your hazard lights to alert vehicles behind you, and wait for the engine temperature to cool slightly before shutting it off and opening the hood to allow the engine to cool.

What are the obvious signs of engine overheating that can be detected early?

Common signs of an overheating engine include the water temperature warning light on the dashboard (usually a red thermometer icon), white hot steam coming out from under the hood, a sudden drop in engine performance such as weak acceleration or stalling, the car's heater running hot and cold, and unusual smoke coming from the exhaust (such as white or blue smoke).