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SIDE EFFECTS OF USING WATER AS COOLANT


------ AUTOMOBILE 101 ------

Few days ago somebody called, his friend refered him to me. He complained of one tricky overheating issue on his Lexus Rx.
The car overheats only on long journey but driving whithin town it doesn't overheat. 

I inquired about condition of his radiator he said he changed it not long ago.
I asked after the fans he has changed them.
I asked after his water pump he said his mechanic confirmed it ok.
I asked if his thermostat is regulating well he said his mechanic already removed it.
I asked if his gear is selecting well he confirmed it.
I asked about the exhust he confirmed it free.
Any history of water shortage he said no.
I inquired on condition of the head gasket it was confirmed ok.
So i gave him appointment to bring the car for physical inspection. 

NOTE:  There are different types of overheating and symptoms. 
▪︎ If the engine is overheating due to coolant leakage its easy to fix, just find the leaking point and take necessary action.

▪︎If its the type caused by bad fan, the overheating will be more when you put on the AC or when your in traffic but once your speeding the temperature will come down because air from the environment is now coming into the engine.

▪︎There are types that engine drive normall inside town and overheats only when the engine is on highway pushing out more power or under more pressure.
This exactly the category this one belong.

After through troubleshooting of the car, the exhust was not blocked,  the RPM of the fans were perfect, radiator very clean and free, gasket very sound and engine doesn't short water and water pump ok according to the man but the radiator water was rusty and brownish which is a bad sign and because of that i decided to open the water pump.

Low and behold my curiosity was confirmed.
Some blades of the water pump were rusty and already chopping off.
Because of that the water pump wasn't pushing out enough power to push the coolant round the engine so engine now overheats when under more presure on the highway. 

I changed the water pump and the overheating became a thing of the past.
I also helped the man flush the engine and filled with the recomended engine coolant.
This is why its not good to use ordinary water as coolant to avoid rust and collosion.

If this post is helpful to you please SHARE to help others.
Thanks and God bless you all.

©️ Engr Gozie Atueyi.
Automotive 101 Blog

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