Several factors can influence your engine’s coolant temperature, including the engine’s workload, weather conditions, and the condition of the cooling system. It’s essential to regularly monitor your engine’s (coolant) temperature gauge to ensure it remains within the normal range.
Normal Coolant Temperature
If your engine’s temperature gauge ever goes into the red zone, you should stop the car immediately before you cause any serious damage to the engine. Normal coolant temperature will be around 195 to 220 Fahrenheit (approx. 90°C) and anything outside of this range can start causing problems.
Why is high coolant temperature a bad thing?
Although your vehicle may still run when the temperature is too high, you will be causing unseen damage to the engine internals. This can include the following:
- Fuel combustion issues: High temperatures can lead to knocking or pinging, where fuel combusts prematurely in the engine.
- Increased Fuel Consumption: The engine has to work harder, burning more fuel.
- Piston Damage: Excessive heat can damage the pistons, leading to costly repairs.
- Head Gasket Failure: Prolonged high temperatures can cause the head gasket to fail or the engine head to crack or warp.
If you have head gasket or engine block damage then consider using K-Seal to make a repair and save money over expensive mechanic bills.
Is low coolant temperature also a bad thing?
Similar to the way that coolant that is too-high in temperature can be an issue, coolant that is too-low in temperature can cause problems as well:
- Reduced Engine Efficiency: Engines are designed to operate at optimal temperatures. When the coolant temperature is too low, the engine may not reach its ideal operating temperature, leading to reduced efficiency.
- Increased Fuel Consumption: A cold engine requires more fuel to run properly. This is because the fuel does not vaporize as easily in a cold engine, leading to incomplete combustion and higher fuel usage.
- Increased Emissions: Cold engines produce more emissions because the combustion process is less efficient. This can lead to higher levels of harmful pollutants being released into the environment.
- Poor Heater Performance: The vehicle’s heater relies on hot coolant to warm the air that is blown into the cabin. If the coolant is too cold, the heater will not function effectively, leading to an uncomfortable driving experience in cold weather.
- Engine freeze: if the temperature is so low that it is possible for your radiator to get too cold, this can result in your engine freezing up and the car not being able to start.
How to check your engine coolant temperature
Monitoring the engine coolant temperature is straightforward with the features available in modern cars. The engine (coolant) temperature display on your dashboard will give you a general idea if you are running too hot or too cold.
Cars built after 1996 will generally have an electronic temperature gauge and this can be checked using a diagnostics device. You can purchase a device yourself or have a mechanic check the gauge so you can be sure that the vehicle gauge is reading correctly.
Aside from manual checks, when a vehicle gets too hot, the engine coolant temperature sensor is also built in to measure the temperature of engine coolant. This works with the engine fuel unit (ECU) to adjust fuel injection and ignition timing. When the temperature gets too high, the ECU calculates the engine coolant temperature based on a resistance reading and adjusts the ignition timing, fuel mixture, and cooling fan to maintain a consistent temperature.
How can using K-Seal help your engine coolant temperature?
If you suspect there is a coolant leak then we recommend adding a bottle of K-Seal to the cooling system. Use K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair for general leaks or K-Seal Ultimate for head gasket, head and block problems.
Once the leak is fixed, the coolant temperature should return to normal. Always keep an eye on the temperature gauge to ensure your engine remains within the optimal temperature range.
By maintaining your engine at the correct coolant temperature, you ensure better performance, lower fuel consumption, and a longer lifespan for your vehicle.