What Should I Do About An Overheating Engine?
Your engine’s temperature should be constantly, carefully controlled by a built-in thermostat. If any piece of the system malfunctions and your cooling system can’t offset that excess heat, your engine’s temperature will soar and could overheat—which can lead to costly repairs or irreparable engine failure. So, what should you do about an overheating engine? Here are a few immediate steps to take.
Find a safe place to pull over and shut off the engine.
First things first, you need to find a safe place to pull over so you can shut your engine off. Don’t try to make it to your destination on an overheating engine— even if your engine is still running, you could risk permanent damage to critical engine parts if you continue on. When your engine gets that hot, it’s important to give it a break as soon as possible so that itAllow the engine to cool off.
Once you’ve safely pulled over and turned off the engine, you should let your car cool down for at least 15 minutes. Keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge, waiting until it moves back to the normal range.Call your mechanic.
An overheated engine won’t fix itself— and it’s usually a result of much deeper issues. Once your car cools down, you should call your mechanic right away and make an appointment to come in for service. Depending on the severity of the situation, your mechanic may recommend getting your car towed to the shop to prevent further damage. With many moving parts in this symptom, it’s important to seek out a professional diagnosis and have the issue fixed by a trained professional. Some of the most common repairs include:- A broken radiator
- A leaky coolant hose
- A damaged water pump
- A malfunctioning thermostat
- Delayed cooling system maintenance
At V&F Auto
At V&F, we strive to provide our customers with a well-rounded knowledge of all things automotive. Since 1988, our family-owned and operated service center has been providing top-quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield, and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. If your car needs maintenance or repair, call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.