Detecting damage due to overheating

[Tap.Ris]

My mate's car had a leaking tube which causes his car to overheat. Was told that there were smoke coming out from his car's bonnet. As the tube needs replacement, he is wondering if there's any damage done to the engine and how can he tell...

[Sir_vtec]

Damage can be done to;
- rod bearings
-pistons
- rings

Overheating can cause preignition where hot spots develop inside the combustion camber and will get hot spots and if u get it on the piston tops it can burn a hole through the pistons. lol

[OMG.JAI xD]

First thing to check is a blown head gasket.
Run the car with the radiator cap opened, most times you can see bubbles.

Check compression on each cylinder.

Check if there is any evident smoke from the exhaust.

Check for any evident leaks.


The smoke that you were told about could be from the fluid hitting a hot component. ie. exhaust.


Also depends how long the engine was overheated for.


Top 2 I'd do is a compression test and the bubble test for head gasket.


If those 2 are ok, you should be in the clear.

Though keep in mind. that the overheating may have worn component(s) and is on its way out.
Might not show now, but it will later on.

[ECU-MAN]

as above

the head warps 1st or the head gasket will give up.

[patsdc2]

Cheers mate for posting this. I've got the tube fixed already. As I wanted to change the plugs today.. I was shocked to discover engine oil (massive loads) on 2 of the plugs. I'm suspecting the gasket is gone and urgently need to be replace. One more thing is that the engine cools down slower than before, I can't prove this statistically but my gut feeling tells me so... what could be the cause of this?