damage from overheating?

[MoogieBoogie]

What damage could happen from the engine overheating due to not enough coolant? How long would it take for such damage to occur?

Sorry for the general question, but the other day I went to warm up my car, went inside for 15 minutes, and came outside to find the fans running like crazy and the coolant temperature gauge near the red. I'm not sure how long it was there, but it couldn't have been too long since it was 30 degrees outside and was a cold start.

I probably have a coolant leak somewhere which I'll have to check this weekend. I drove the car today and it seemed fine. I'm just worried about any possible damage that could have happened.

Thanks,
-Brian.

 

[Daedalus]

If you're driving the car and not noticing anything wrong that's a good sign, but keep an eye on things. Exhaust gasses can be 1600* and aluminum doesn't have that much heat capacity. Aluminum begins to change and lose temper at around 400*F, leading to warping and residual stresses after cooling down. Change your oil and hope none of it coked up in the small galleries in the heads. Seals often rupture or at the very least sustain latent damage that can lead to earlier failure than normal.

 

[drew]

I probably have a coolant leak somewhere which I'll have to check this weekend. I drove the car today and it seemed fine.

Huh?

Are you missing coolant? Is there coolant on the ground?

So now the car runs correctly? No influence on your part?

Sounds like a stuck thermostat to me...

In any regards: your situation should not be taken lightly. Unless you have a thick wallet and can easily rebuild your NSX engine; if so I wouldn't worry about coolant temperatures in the red either.

Drew

 

[MoogieBoogie]

Huh?

Are you missing coolant? Is there coolant on the ground?

So now the car runs correctly? No influence on your part?

Sounds like a stuck thermostat to me...

In any regards: your situation should not be taken lightly. Unless you have a thick wallet and can easily rebuild your NSX engine; if so I wouldn't worry about coolant temperatures in the red either.

Drew

Thanks for your response.

The coolant level was low, so I refilled it and it ran fine at regular operating temperatures. I think there is a leak from the radiator/coolant pipe, so I'll be replacing that this weekend. I didn't see any coolant on the ground though.

I'm not taking this situation lightly. As soon as I get a chance, I'll take my car to one of the reputable Acura dealerships to get complete service done (timing belt, water pump, gaskets, etc).

Daedalus, thank you for your reponse as well. Until I have the opportunity to change the oil, I won't be driving the car.

-Brian.