If you have a long road trip scheduled for you and your family this summer, then you probably know that suddenly being stranded on the side of the road can put a real chink in your plans. Battery problems, lockouts, brake issues, transmission troubles, flat tires, and running out of gas are a few of the most common issues that cause a breakdown. Having your car fully inspected before your trip can cut down on the majority of these issues and help you avoid the need for a tow. However, engine troubles that include overheating are likely to occur too. Something like this is a bit more difficult to plan for, which means you probably will need to deal with an overheating problem on the fly. Just make sure you avoid one of the following mistakes if you want to continue on with your family adventure.
Mistake - Turning On The Air Conditioner
It may make sense to turn on your air conditioner to cool down your car if you notice that the engine is getting hot. However, this will have the opposite effect than what you desire. Your vehicle's AC system will actually reduce the horsepower of the engine by about 15% to 25%. The engine will then need to work harder to produce enough power to maintain your speed. More work means the creation of more heat, and your engine will actually become warmer. The coolant system will also become stressed as well. As the coolant heats up, it expands. While heat will dissipate as the fluid runs through the channels of the radiator, the larger volume of fluid will place pressure on the radiator, fluid seals, and cap. Cracks and leaks can form, and you may lose some of the coolant.
You can reduce engine stress and overheating concerns by turning on the heater in your car instead. Your car's heater uses the heat created by your engine to heat air. The heat is pulled from the radiator with the help of a fan. As the fan passes air over the radiator, it collects heat from the warmed coolant fluid. The hot air is then passed through the vent system of your vehicle so the cabin can be warmed. This allows the radiator to displace heat much more quickly so the coolant fluid can work more effectively at cooling down the engine.
Turn on the heater in your car as soon as you see your car's engine warming up. You can continue driving, but keep an eye on the thermostat to make sure the engine begins to cool down. It may be hot in your car when you do this, but do not put the window's down right away. This causes wind resistance and forces the engine to work harder. If your engine starts to heat up more or does not cool down, then pull over.
Mistake - Pouring Water Over Your Engine
If the engine thermostat in your vehicle continues to increase, then you should definitely pull over and turn off your engine before it overheats. Your engine will need to cool down before you can examine anything. However, you should never pour water over the engine to help the process along. The sudden change in temperature can cause the engine block and the radiator to crack. Engine block cracks may be able to be repaired with epoxy or welding practices depending on severity. The most serious cases will require an engine rebuild or replacement. A rebuilt engine can cost you between $2,700 to $5,000 depending on the make and model of your car. A new radiator will also be needed, and this may cost you over $400. This means that this mistake can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, so be patient. Allow the car engine to cool on its own. Wait at least 15 minutes with the hood of the car open.
After the engine has cooled, you should check the coolant reservoir to see if fluid fills the container to the fill line. If it does not, then you can use water to fill it up temporarily. Keep in mind that the water will burn off and evaporate as it becomes heated by the engine. You should replace the water with coolant as soon as you reach your destination for the day. If the fluid is full, something else may be causing the heating problems. It may be best to contact a local towing company to take you to a shop to get the car looked at.
Share
