Overheated Engine?
I know cars
– and how to fix cars (sometimes)… but my wife
doesnÂ’t.
Probably a
lot of families are “mixed” like this. It does my wife
no good to know I know how to fix This or That (or at least, where
to start looking) if I happen not to be with her when the car stops
running. Hence this quick run-through. I wrote it mainly for her
– but figured it might be helpful to people out there, too:
Overheating
First, always
pay attention to the temperature gauge (most new/recent model cars
have gauges rather than lights). This way, youÂ’ll notice the
engine is running hot before it actually overheats. Make a mental
note of the normal reading for your vehicle when itÂ’s fully
warmed up, after about 15 minutes of driving. Then be on the lookout
for abnormal readings. If the needle seems to be edging closer
and closer to “H” (or the red area), the time to take
action is right now – before the needle actually gets to “H”
or into the red zone.
Reduce your
speed (eases the load on the engine) and immediately turn off the
AC (same reason) and turn on the heater – which is actually
a mini-radiator. By turning on the heater (fan on high) you will
help the engine dissipate excess heat. If the needle begins to stabilize
– or goes down – you may not need to pull over right way,
but you should reduce speed and start looking for a safe place to
stop. Because overheating is not normal; there is some underlying
problem – low coolant, for example – that caused the high
temperature reading. You need to find out what it is before resuming
normal travel.
When you find
a safe place – ideally a place such as a service station, where
supplies and help will be available – pull over and stop the
engine. You can raise the hood and check the coolant recovery tank
– usually, a whitish-looking plastic tank off to one side of
the radiator and clearly marked – to see whether the level
is low. But do not attempt to open the radiator cap until the engine
has cooled down (at least 15-30 minutes) and only if youÂ’ve
had someone who knows how show you how beforehand. It is imperative
to put a heavy rag over the cap before you begin to twist it loose
– applying downward pressure as you turn, and turning it out
only just enough to safely release any pent-up steam and pressure.
If you haven’t done this before, find someone who has –
and let them do it for you. You can be severely burned by hot –
and pressurized – coolant/steam blowing out of the radiator.
If the coolant
level is low, thatÂ’s the likely reason for the overheating.
But now you need to find out the reason for the leak. The
usual culprits are: The radiator itself, one of the hoses that brings
coolant to (and from) the radiator, a leaking heater core (more
on this in a moment) or, a dying water pump. Look for drizzling
greenish fluid (sometimes orange-red in newer cars with “long
life” coolant) and signs of wetness around the radiator and
hoses. If you find them, probably, you have found your problem.
Hoses can be
(usually) easily and fairly cheaply replaced with basic hand tools,
right by the side of the road. A mechanic is not necessary –
just someone who is handy and knows a little about cars. In an emergency
– and if the leak is fairly minor – a hose can sometimes
be temporarily patched with duct tape or electrical tape.
Radiators typically
get replaced rather than fixed nowadays – because they tend
to be made of plastic and so are throwaways. Removal and installation
will probably require a mechanic – or at least, a pretty competent
handyman type.
Dying water
pumps – this is the part that circulates the coolant through
the system, much like a human heart circulates blood through our
bodies – often have what are called weep holes, which do as
it sounds: They weep coolant, which you should be able to see. The
water pump is typically mounted on the front of the engine, so look
for dripping coolant in that area. If itÂ’s leaking, it is probably
dying – and must be replaced. This can be a complicated job
that will require the skills (and tools) of a mechanic.
November
24, 2012
Eric Peters
[send him mail] is an
automotive columnist and author of Automotive
Atrocities and Road Hogs (2011). Visit his
website.
Copyright
© 2012 Eric Peters