What If My Engine Boils Over?

What to do if your car overheats?

Few things can be as stressful as seeing your car’s temperature gauge creep into the danger zone. Dealing with an overheating car is not only inconvenient but can also lead to serious damage if not addressed promptly.

Before we discuss what you should do when your car is overheating, let’s first go over the signs telling you something is wrong.

If your vehicle is struggling to keep cool, then, nip into Natrad. Our expert team can identify your cooling problem and help get you back on the road. We can also recommend the best engine coolant for your car or truck to help safeguard this issue from happening again.

Warning signs that your engine may boil over

• The temperature gauge reading high and/or a warning light appearing on the dashboard
• Burning smell coming through the vents
• Steam rising from under the car bonnet
• Reduced engine power
• The bonnet is hot to the touch

This video explains what to do if you notice any symptoms of engine damage from overheating. If you are in this situation, you should act fast to minimise the potential damage to your vehicle’s engine. Otherwise, read on to see what to do if your engine boils over.

What to do if your engine boils over?

1. If you notice the engine temperature rising into the red, pull over and stop the car as soon as possible.

But, what if it isn’t safe to stop the car?

When you notice that the temperature of the engine is rising, turn off the air conditioner, turn the heater to maximum and open the windows. Turning off the air conditioner reduces the load on the car engine. Turning on the heater with the fan up high helps to disperse the engine heat. If you start to feel too hot, point the air vents toward the open windows to vent the heat away from yourself.

Only continue to drive if you really can’t pull over. Keep a steady speed and reduce stopping and starting as much as possible. Looking after your engine is far more important than getting to your destination quickly or getting cut off.

If steam rises from under the bonnet or the temperature continues to rise, stop the car as soon as practical to prevent engine damage.

2. Open the bonnet (taking care to protect against contact with any steam or liquid) and wait for the engine to cool before touching anything. If you are unsure about handling engine components, call a tow truck or get help from a specialist.
3. Wait until the engine is cool. Touching your engine while hot may lead to possible burns. Only handle parts in the engine bay once it is cool.
4. Once the engine is cool, use a thick rag or towel to turn open the radiator cap very slowly. Keep your face out of the way to avoid a possible sputter of steam or hot water. Check your coolant level and refill it as needed. Many car engines prefer a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze, but plain water will do if it’s all you have on hand.

5. Before you drive off, have a thorough look under the vehicle to make sure that there is no coolant leak. DO NOT drive the car if your coolant is below the recommended level.
6. Once your car is safe to drive, be sure to take the car to a specialist technician for a full cooling system check. A Natrad specialist can identify the cause of overheating and provide repairs to prevent potential engine damage.

Call for roadside assistance you are uncomfortable with or unable to complete the above steps.

Preventing engine boil over

Checking the coolant level of your car is an essential part of the regular fortnightly checks you should be making on your vehicle. When driving on hot days, you should monitor the temperature gauge and take preventative action if it creeps up too high. These simple checks, along with regular cooling system maintenance, will reduce the likelihood of engine boil over.

How does coolant work?

Coolant is pumped around the engine’s cooling system by the water pump. As coolant passes through the engine, it absorbs the engine’s heat, and takes it to the radiator. The radiator radiates this heat to the outside air, letting it escape from the system so that your engine keeps cool.

If the coolant can’t circulate correctly, then your engine will start to overheat. You risk engine boil over if your coolant level is too low. Having your cooling system checked for blockages or potential leaks will help prevent an inconvenient roadside stop when the engine boils.

Coolant should be replaced periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Contamination, dirt and particles can decrease coolant effectiveness. Coolant also contains corrosion inhibitors, which will degrade over time.

In most regions of Australia, you won’t need an anti-freeze coolant as temperatures are unlikely to drop below freezing levels. Using a corrosion inhibitor without antifreeze when in a warmer climate will provide more effective cooling. If you’re not sure which coolant your car needs, ask a professional mechanic or cooling specialist about the correct coolant for your vehicle.

Replace your engine coolant with Natrad

When it’s time to get your coolant drained and replaced, it’s an excellent opportunity to have the cooling system flushed at the same time. A radiator flush will remove any debris that could cause potential blockages and help prevent your car’s engine from boiling over. Get your radiator flushed by a specialist at Natrad today.

At Natrad, we also stock high-quality coolants that are suitable for your vehicle. When you get your cooling system flushed and coolant replaced, remember to grab some spare coolant to keep in the car in case you need to top up.

For more information on how to replace your engine coolant or our parts and products, contact the team at Natrad today.