drove 15 miles in an overheated engine with no coolant, is engine dead?

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WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,415
404
126
When my t-stat housing blew, I had little to no warning before temps shot up to H (was accelerating up to freeway speeds after coming off an on-ramp).
What got my attention was the chime and text message to Check Engine Temp (gauge was 3/4 ways). Immediately pulled over the shoulder and shut her off.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
I do prefer gauges. For people who aren't car people, lights are probably better.

Most cars these days have both gauges and some other sort of malfunction indication.

I had a GM car that had a "check gauges" red light. :biggrin:

But that's actually a smart idea as how often does one look at the gauges unless you suspect trouble.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,415
404
126
wait wut? what car you have?
06 Lincoln LS.
Should have worded it better. Text message on the cluster (that literally chimes and says "Check Engine Temperature" before it gets near H).

eg. from a Gen1 LS (Gen2 is similar) :
4546892827_6b8dda37b4_b.jpg
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
My Jeep has a warning chime and the displayed warning messages. Any fault results in the chime and a message.

Most cars are that way these days. Looking at the gauges is a good idea, of course, but you will get warning messages, too.
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
oh, "text messages"
I thought you meant the car will send Text Messages to your cell phone.

btw: I like the Lincoln LS, I think it's an understated nice car
 
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LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
oh, "text messages"
I thought you meant the car will send Text Messages to your cell phone.

btw: I like the Lincoln LS, I think it's an understated nice car

Cars will definitely send text messages to your cell phone these days!

Emails too.

You can also control your car's accessories with your cell phone these days as a factory option. Start it, turn on the heater, roll down the windows, etc.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,154
635
126
But that's actually a smart idea as how often does one look at the gauges unless you suspect trouble.
I glance at all my gauges (well, when I'm in cars that have a more than a gas gauge) regularly to keep tabs on what's going on.