When an engine overheats, the pistons may expand so much that there simply isn’t enough room for them to expand anymore. This may cause them to scrape or scuff against the cylinders, damaging both in the process.
The furthest you can drive an overheating car is
about a ¼ mile before you risk irreversible engine damage. While some vehicles could still make it as far as 20 miles, we would never recommend driving very far with an overheating engine.
Most cars can only overheat for about 30 to 60 seconds before damage starts to occur. When a car overheats, it will quickly damage the engine. In only a minute, you may seize up your valves or even blow a piston if it gets hot enough. Of course, it does matter how hot The car is getting.
Coolant temperature Gauge rising
Visible coolant stains on the ground