General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAuto expert need advice fast!
Water temp light came on. Car is obviously running hot. I am at hours from home and 20 miles from help. Will I damage my engine if I keep going?
redwitch
(14,933 posts)onecaliberal
(32,489 posts)Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)I used to have to do this on my old S-10, and it would bring the temp down some. Darned uncomfortable in summer though.
No guarantees that it will keep you from damaging the motor, but it can help.
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)Some have a feature that allows the car to run, but with reduced cylinders firing. But to answer your question quickly, YES, you can damage your car. The damage will be an expensive fix too.
Can you call triple A?
NutmegYankee
(16,178 posts)It breaks down the oil reducing its lubrication and can cause the cylinder head to warp and blow the head gasket.
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)Head gasket was my first thought, and i'm not a car expert. But, it's happened to lots of folks, especially if you had one of those GM Tech 4 engines.
Guy i knew had it happen to him TWICE, in under 100k miles.
Those things were notorious for that because of the aluminum and how hot they ran.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)...you'd end up with your oil and your coolant mixing together into a sort of milkshake that's bad at cooling and bad at lubricating, and really causes mayhem with your engine.
Generally, by the time that happens, you're looking at a hell of a repair bill...
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)Stop and let it cool down. Call for help if possible...Worst case scenario after the engine is cool, don't do it hot, add water if the coolant reservoir shows empty.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Will wait a bit. Drive a few miles with heater on and limp along to a repair place .
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)it might take you quite some time. When you go watch the gauge like a hawk it can jump in a heartbeat.
Good luck.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Just put it to your feet, feet don't care if they get hot LOL
Also cruise at a normal speed so you have plenty of air flow. I would actually pop the hood so it is just on the safety latch myself, 99.84% of the time it won't come flying open
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Have been driving for a while. Nearest repair is 10 mikes away. I will stop and pull over every mile or so with heater going until I get there.
NutmegYankee
(16,178 posts)If you feel comfortable doing so, pop the hood and observe the coolant level in the clear expansion tank. Do NOT open the cap though - the coolant is under 15 PSI of pressure and it's temperature is above normal boiling of 212F (pressure + anti-freeze raise the boiling point). If the cap is opened the coolant can flash steam and really ruin your week.
Freddie
(9,232 posts)From doing that. He was 16, new driver.
Doodley
(8,976 posts)underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)Consider the alternatives. Or just chill out for a while.
Your phone is working, maybe check for a local garage that can come out to you?
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Chilling for a few.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)This is maddening!
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)Actually, better to never let it get to red. You can do some serious damage.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)I hope they can fix it fast and cheap because we are seriously broke.
MagickMuffin
(15,893 posts)The tow company took it to their repair shop saying they were really fair and reasonable.
They wanted to charge me $600 and the parts and labor. We Hubby and me checked around online and found the fuel pump for less than I was going to be charged. Called the shop and asked if they would do the repair for the labor cost if I brought in the part. Luckily they said yes, which ended up being half the price I was quoted.
Good Luck, redwitch
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)the crack in minutes. I drove a car like that for 2 years... Whenever it started leaking or overheating again, I put more of the magic stuff in. From any automotive shop. Costs less than 10 bucks.
GOOD LUCK!!! And don't let the mechanics try to pull any crap on you.
narnian60
(3,510 posts)Concerned for you.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Help is on the way.
narnian60
(3,510 posts)taught_me_patience
(5,477 posts)If the leak is minimal, then just turn the heater on. Is the leak is major and you have no fluid left, get a tow. If you have fluid and the heater doesn't get the temp down, it's probably the thermostat. Cheap fix, but you'll need a tow.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)And thanks. Why couldn't one of you be driving by?
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Don't add cold coolant to a hot engine because fast changes in temp can be harmful.
You might have a simple problem, low coolant level. Try to determine why if the coolant level dropped. Is there a slow leak somewhere?
Are you experiencing higher than usual temps in your area? Were you driving faster than usual with the air conditioning running?
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Driving the speed limit, ac on full blast.
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)I had a vehicle that would have a temmpo climb if i climbed a grade with the AC on. I would shut off the AC while climbing and the problem was solved.
One thing you want to avoid when the engine is hot is adding cold coolant while the engine is running. The rapid temperature change can ruin the engine.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Waiting for someone to take a look. Vibes please!
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)I had drifted into a NPR thread. You know the car will make it for 20 miles, or use roadside or cell service. Best advise, call for road service at your first opportunity.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)the brothers have aged.
rug
(82,333 posts)Vladimir: That's what you think.
Last edited Fri Aug 26, 2016, 01:49 PM - Edit history (1)
Exactly.
Water pump, thermostat and something else.serpentine belt.
NJCher
(35,431 posts)I was once stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel and it overheated. By the time I got out, the engine was blown. Cost was around 2600. Fortunately the car was just out of warranty, Chevrolet felt sorry for me, and paid for it all minus the cost of the new fluids.
Took over a week for the repair.
Cher
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Glad you lived to tell about it!
NutmegYankee
(16,178 posts)Or a new radiator cap.
BlueCollar
(3,859 posts)Would have been a required replacement at some point anyway. If that goes all kinds of bad things can happen so if there's a silver lining....
All in all you dodged a bullet...glad you're back on the road.
ecodeathmarch
(34 posts)Hope your car is ok :/
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Could have been worse. They are billion me 500 today and I will call to give them the balance Monday. Such good people! Lanes auto outside of Ithaca NY.
Freddie
(9,232 posts)Car trouble in an unfamiliar place is frightening.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Although it might as well be to us. I wish we weren't struggling for $ all the time. But at least I can go home tonight.
spanone
(135,636 posts)Freddie
(9,232 posts)We drive "well used" cars and one of us has used them every year. I buy a membership for every driver in the family as part of their Xmas present. Plus travel and auto tag discounts.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Fla Dem
(23,352 posts)Glad you survived your incident, a little lighter in the pocketbook though.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,847 posts)If there's no coolant left in the system, there's concerns about reduced oil viscosity and the engine seizing or even cracking if it gets too hot.
If there's coolant, it could get hot enough to rupture a gasket, causing coolant to flow into the engine cylinders which will cause piston scraping/seizing.
Keep stopping and let it cool down until you reach a car shop.
If you see white smoke coming out the tailpipe, there's already coolant leaked into the cylinders. Call a tow truck at that point.
EDIT: I didn't read the entire thread before replying. Sorry about the repair costs.
redwitch
(14,933 posts)Will check in later wbe. I finally get home.
narnian60
(3,510 posts)Whoops. I thought you said you got home.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)As others have mentioned, you could destroy your engine.
Sometimes, if you know what you're doing, and know you still have coolant left, you might be able to run the heater and limp home that way, but if you're not sure, I would not try it.
EDIT: Looks like you got your car to a mechanic, glad you're OK.
canetoad
(17,090 posts)While not being able to offer any advice, I sure have enjoyed the live micro-blogging of your predicament.