In winter months most people know that anti-freeze is important to prevent the radiator and engine freezing. But less people are aware that in summer, it’s just as important to ensure that overheating is prevented. The damage caused by overheating can be just as bad, if not worse than your engine freezing. In short, your coolant system needs to be operating properly or your relaxing holiday could turn into a nightmare.
A car engine is actually not very efficient and only turns approximately 25% of the fuel into useful energy. The rest of the fuel is turned into heat, most of which is dispelled through the exhaust or goes directly into the components and fluids in your engine. Radiator coolant, which raises the boiling point of water, is used to take the heat away from your engine so that it does not overheat. This higher boiling point means that more heat can be transferred away allowing the engine to operate better.
If your engine runs too hot it could lead to permanent engine damage. This is most likely to occur to the rings, pistons, rod bearings or head gasket. At worst this means a new engine and a very large bill!
So how do you prevent this? It’s simple really. Engine coolant levels should be checked regularly and kept topped up. But don’t forget that the coolant should be changed regularly since it becomes less effective over time.
If you check the coolant level yourself, make sure that you never check or add coolant when the engine is hot.
It’s advisable to have the system checked for leaks regularly. If you notice a leak or you have to regularly top-up the coolant this could be a sign of a more serious problem. Before it gets worse get the coolant system checked by professionals. A modest outlay now could save you a fortune later.
A car engine is actually not very efficient and only turns approximately 25% of the fuel into useful energy. The rest of the fuel is turned into heat, most of which is dispelled through the exhaust or goes directly into the components and fluids in your engine. Radiator coolant, which raises the boiling point of water, is used to take the heat away from your engine so that it does not overheat. This higher boiling point means that more heat can be transferred away allowing the engine to operate better.
If your engine runs too hot it could lead to permanent engine damage. This is most likely to occur to the rings, pistons, rod bearings or head gasket. At worst this means a new engine and a very large bill!
So how do you prevent this? It’s simple really. Engine coolant levels should be checked regularly and kept topped up. But don’t forget that the coolant should be changed regularly since it becomes less effective over time.
If you check the coolant level yourself, make sure that you never check or add coolant when the engine is hot.
It’s advisable to have the system checked for leaks regularly. If you notice a leak or you have to regularly top-up the coolant this could be a sign of a more serious problem. Before it gets worse get the coolant system checked by professionals. A modest outlay now could save you a fortune later.