

Leaks do have a tendency to get worse over time though. You can usually ‘get away with it’ for a while, providing that you keep checking coolant levels and top up when necessary.
#Coolant thermostat check engine light crack
The result of this is that any weak areas of the coolant system may start to leak water.Ī leak can be either internal, such as a leaky gasket, or external, such as a hose failure or crack in the radiator, water pump etc. The hotter the coolant gets, the more it expands and the more the coolant system comes under pressure. In general, the coolant system is a sealed unit and when working properly, should rarely need topping up with coolant (50% antifreeze and 50% water).Īs you drive faster, the engine gets hotter and as the engine gets hotter, so does the coolant. When you say you add 1/4 liter of coolant when driving over a long distance, how far is a long distance? smoke coming from the exhaust due to the incorrect fuel mixture being burned.temperature warning light stays on while driving but coolant levels and engine temperature are fine.using more fuel (if more fuel is being burned because the computer thinks it’s cold).Symptoms of a faulty coolant temperature sensor can be: This information is used by the computer to determine which settings to use for the engine, for example, if it is cold the engine will burn more fuel than when it’s warm. A sensor is used to constantly monitor engine coolant. If you’re experiencing problems with the engine temperature light coming on, but it’s not overheating, the likely cause is a faulty sensor. Engine Temperature Light on but not Overheating On certain models of vehicles, this engine temperature light may be green. Drive steady and avoid pushing the engine too hard until the light goes out. This may also apply to certain transmission types. This simply means that your engine oil is not up to optimal efficiency due to the low temperature. Having a blue engine temperature warning light appear on your dashboard shouldn’t concern you anywhere near as much as a red one. A red engine temperature warning light requires immediate action Though a top up of engine coolant may be required on occasions a substantial drop in levels, or frequent topping up suggests there’s a leak that needs repairing. Ideally open the cap using a thick cloth in case hot water splashes onto your hand. Water in the coolant tank is pressurised and hot, so leaving to cool is essential. Leave your engine off for at least 20 minutes (ideally a little longer) before attempting to top up with coolant. An engine that has overheated to the point that it fails will almost certainly be irreparable and will require considerable expense to replace. If a red engine temperature warning light comes on, it’s essential that you stop and turn the engine off as soon as it’s safe to do so. What to do if the Engine Temperature Warning Light Comes on The usual cause is that there’s insufficient coolant in the system to keep the engine running at optimal temperatures. Sometimes this warning light may flash.Ĭoolant, or antifreeze as it’s also known, consists of a mixture of water and ethylene glycol and constantly circulates the engine to keep it cool (see what is engine coolant for a detailed explanation). What is Engine Coolant / Antifreeze & when to Use ItĪ red (occasionally yellow on some vehicles) engine temperature warning light that stays on or comes on while driving means there’s a coolant fault or your engine is overheating and requires immediate attention.What is a Catalytic Converter and How they Work.
