What are the consequences of an engine overheating?
When the engine overheats, it will start to detonate. The engine will start pinging and losing power under load. The hammer-like blows may damage the rings, pistons or rod bearings. Overheating can also cause preignition. Hot spots develop inside the combustion chamber that become a source of ignition for the fuel. The erratic combustion can cause detonation as well as engine run-on in older vehicles with carburetors. Hot spots can also be very damaging and burn holes right through the top of pistons. Another consequence of overheating may be a blown head gasket. Heat makes aluminum swell almost three times faster than cast iron.
