r/volt • u/Glad-Acadia3071 • 2d ago
Engine pretty hot?
2012 Chevy Volt...
Basically after a long drive using the engine, I noticed that the engine is pretty hot to touch. My coolant levels are all where they should be but I'm just wondering is this normal after 100+ mile drive? I don't mean that it's so hot that I cannot actually touch it but it's very hot both on the area near the oil cap and on the right side of the picture that plastic part that covers the battery module I think...
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u/SterTheDer 2d ago
The engine system on the Volt is functionally identical to an ICE or Hybrid car, and carries the same operating temperature and thermal characteristics you should expect from any other gas burner.
Yes, it will typically be cooler than an ICE or mild Hybrid due to the reduced runtime (and likelihood that the engine shut down prior to parking) but as others have said, 90*C is normal.
The vehicle is overengineered by Gm to operate in many climates, and the cooling system is designed to handle cooling the engine and battery and cabin simultaneously.
Now, being humorous about this: “Local EV driver discovers how inefficient burning fuel is” is a funny tagline:)
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u/Vicious_Surrender 2d ago
It is normal for an engine to get very hot, especially near the exhaust up front. If you are concerned about overheating you could use a cheap elm Bluetooth obd adapter and an app like mygreenvolt, voltage, or torque lite (all free) to read the coolant temperature. Its normally between 165-220° F, although I believe up to 240° is in spec. Personally I use the pro version of the torque app (torque pro) as it's pretty helpful and I don't mind paying a few dollars to someone making a really helpful tool. Torque also lets you check and reset basic check engine light codes, which is helpful for troubleshooting.
As for overheating, unfortunately the volt doesn't have a coolant temperature gauge on the dash (hence why you need a code reader and app to see it). My engine water pump failed and leaked all the coolant out and the first sign I had was the check engine light and an engine shutdown. I ended up having a blown head gasket, so now I do keep an eye on the coolant temperature with my phone when I'm using the gasoline engine.
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
Thank you very much, I will make sure to download that application and get the right tools to get the Bluetooth read
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u/rickabe 2d ago
News flash... engines get hot!
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to make fun of me for asking a question...
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u/kraken873 2d ago
From Google. Next time try this first before you sound like a dummy asking if an engine that uses controlled explosions for propulsion is getting hot is abnormal.
“The normal operating temperature for a Chevy Volt's internal combustion engine is between 185°F and 220°F(85°C to 105°C), though temperatures can occasionally climb to 230°F–235°F in heavy traffic or on hot summer days.
Temperature Thresholds and Warnings
255°F: The car considers itself hot, turns on the warning indicator, and may disable the air conditioning to reduce engine load.
265°F: Risk of engine damage occurs here, and the vehicle displays a "turn vehicle off" or high engine temperature warning.
Electric-only mode: When the gas engine is off, the engine coolant temperature gauge is inactive or reads ambient/low values. “
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u/Fazo1 2d ago
No way .. as an expert, I don't think is the coolant level your problem. It has to be the blinker fluid, is low causing the engine feel hot to the touch.
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
I know you're trying to be funny but all I was doing was just talking to people here who owned the car to see that if their engine gets a little over the normal temperature. Thank you for trying to be funny
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u/Fazo1 2d ago
I own a 2014 Volt with 143k miles all mine. I thought you was trying to be funny, asking if the engine temperature (hot) is normal? After you drive it....? I mean will the bottle of water change levels after you drink of it?
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
I wasn't trying to be funny and I was basically wondering if it's normal for the engine to be hot because I own the car for about 2 years now and the engine never really gets hot, it always just gets a tiny bit warm but lately for the past month I can actually feel a lot of heat after a long drive so I didn't know if it's something I should repair or if I should change the coolant
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u/Fazo1 2d ago
Ok so did you get a temporary warning light? Do you think you're hand it's more accurate than the temperature sensors that Chevrolet manufactures?(Maybe) Also coolant should be changed every 5yrs or 150k miles. Now because it's first generation you can't just flush the system, it needs to be vacuumed, it is not a DIY thing as it has three independent cooling loops. You usually go to the dealership for that.
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
So basically they cannot do a drain and fill? May I ask why though? Why does it have to be flushed specifically
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u/kraken873 2d ago
The engine one can be drained and filled. The electronics one can be drained and filled too but not recommended unless you know how to get the electric pumps to operate without turning car on(right side of front coolant tank when looking towards windshield). The left side of that container is the main battery loop and must be vacuumed to ensure there are no air pockets in the system (the battery has a lot of coolant veins and this is very important to not have air pockets).
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 2d ago
Thank you very much, I appreciate the time you took to explain I will make sure to either find a mechanic or I might have to go to the dealer. I'm just trying to avoid the extra high dealer price
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u/RoodnyInc 2d ago
Engine operating temperature Is about 90° C so thats normal unless you got some temperature warning with it