Tips on Preventing an Overheating Engine
Engine overheatingis a common problem experienced by many motorists especially during hot summer months and in instances of stop and go traffic. However, allowing engine overheating to last could be disastrous and could lead to costly repairs. Thus, the best way to tackle this problem would be to prevent the same from happening and this article will describe the fundamental knowledge that every motorist should have with regard to preventing a disastrous engine overheating.
Signs of an overheated engine
When the operational engine temperature rises beyond a certain limit, there are several signs the motorists can recognize which indicate the impending damage. One is the gradual increase in the temperature gauge on the dashboard. The second indication would be a warning sign appearing on the dashboard while the vehicle is in operation. Thirdly, one might notice the appearance of steam from under the bonnet or may hear a bubbling or a steam leaking noise from the engine. In certain instances, the smoothness of the car engine will also get affected. Another indication of an impending engine overheating is the blowing of cold air when the heater is fully turned on while the engine is running. Although this may not necessarily be a problem related to the vehicles radiator system, it might be an initial sign of engine overheating.
Preventing engine overheating
One of the first things to do is to check the radiator fluid level and the presence of coolant every once in a while. The checking should be frequent if the vehicle is an older model and the radiator system is not reliable. When checking for radiator fluid level, one should also check for any visible leaks or newly formed rust marks.These may indicate that there is a water leak from the radiator or from its tubing. However, one should remember that all such checks should be done when the engine has been turned off for at least a half an hour.
Presence of air bubbles within the system can also lead to poor heat dissipation from the engine and therefore cause engine overheating. This can happen following refilling the radiator with a coolant as outside air might become trapped in with rapid filling. In order to avoid such instances, one should clear away the air from the system by running the engine for few minutes following opening the radiator cap. This will allow the air to bubble up and exit from the system via the radiator opening. However, this should not be attempted when the engine is overheated or as soon as the engine stops running.
It may also be worthwhile to flush the radiator occasionally to get rid of the debris that remains deposited within the radiator. In order to do this, one can drain all the radiator fluid by opening the draining valve and thereafter filling the radiator with water while the engine is running. Once the draining fluid appears clear it is possible to fill the radiator with a new coolant. The drain valve can be replaced after checking that the draining fluid is the color of the new coolant. However, at each instance, one should bleed the system of air as described earlier.
Cleaning the radiator from outside is another important step in improving the efficiency of the radiator and this can easily be done by spraying a degreaser from outside and washing the radiator with water.
Lastly, engine overheating is a problem that can usually be resolved with proper maintenance of the radiator system. However, if the vehicle experience continuous overheating and necessitate frequent filling of the radiator, it may be time to seek professional help before things turn ugly.
