What you need to know about an overheating engine

An internal combustion engine is not particularly efficient. Even the most efficient gas-run engines use only about 38 percent of the stored energy of gas for powering the car – the rest becomes waste heat. Engines are designed to operate within a relatively narrow range of temperatures, and if an engine overheats, it can cause all kinds of damage.

Resource for this article: The basics of an overheating engine By Car Deal Expert

The anatomy of an overheating engine

When an engine starts overheating, a cascade of things start to go wrong. A normally-functioning engine will run between 195 and 220 degrees F. Above 220, an engine will start to misfire. At 250 degrees, rubber and plastic parts of the engine start softening. At 265 degrees, most of the metals in the engine will start to soften and stress. The radiator might also burst after long periods of high temperatures.

If your engine overheats, what should you do?

Most engines have a dial or gauge that will show you at least the general temperature of the engine. You should keep as close an eye on this gauge as you do on the fuel. Pull over immediately if the engine stays consistently above 225 degrees.Take a look at the coolant levels in the engine. If the levels are low, top them off with coolant or water. As soon as you possibly can, have the engine checked out by a mechanic. Wait for the engine to entirely cool off before you take off the radiator cap – otherwise, it could shoot off and cause you an injury.

What may be causing an overheating engine

An internal combustion engine has a number of places where the temperature balance could be thrown off. The 5 most common engine-overheating causes are:

• Cooling system leak – most effortlessly found with a pressure test.
• Issues with the thermostat – depending on the model of your car, this might be computer-controlled or mechanical.
• Cooling fan – see if it is nevertheless working, and if the fan clutch is operational.
• Blocked radiator intake – if dirt and grime blocks the radiator, it can overheat.
• Overworked engine – if you’re working the engine hard with an extra-heavy load, towing or driving fast on mountains within the summer, your engine may naturally overheat.