Quick-Thinking Driver Stops to Help Car with Engine Overrun, Thick Smoke Blankets Road Before Fire is Put Out
A driver quickly stopped to help another vehicle experiencing engine overrun by blocking its air filter with cloth, preventing potential fire damage on a Southern Thailand roadside.
Quick thinking truly matters. A young driver quickly pulled over to help a car experiencing engine overrun, with thick white smoke pouring across the road. He opened the hood and used heavy cloth to block the air filter until the engine shut down.
On May 7, 2026, Facebook user "Bank Thangnak" posted a video of him assisting a vehicle with engine overrun parked on the roadside. He commented: "I couldn't stand watching this. Most people don't know what to do and panic."
In the video, while driving, the poster noticed smoke coming from a car ahead, so he quickly pulled over behind it and discovered the engine was overrunning with thick white smoke billowing across the road.
The poster then rushed to the front, asked the owner to open the hood, and used thick cloth to cover the air filter until the overrun condition stopped.
Engine overrun (Engine Overrun) occurs when a diesel engine races on its own, exceeding safe RPM limits without control, producing thick white smoke and unable to shut down. It's caused by engine oil leaking into the combustion chamber, forcing the engine to burn oil instead of fuel—risking severe engine damage. The engine must be shut down immediately to prevent serious damage.
According to Khru Tung from We Love Car Thailand, the best method is to cut off air supply by blocking the air filter, which better protects the engine and transmission system.
The steps are as follows: 1. Stay calm 2. Shift to neutral; automatic shifts to N 3. Park safely on the roadside 4. Open the hood 5. Open the air filter cover 6. Use thick cloth or clothing to block the air filter opening; manual transmissions can be placed in 5th gear then the clutch released to stall the engine 7. Once the engine stops, immediately take it to a mechanic. Don't attempt to drive it further—take it to a service center for inspection and repair first.
Prevention: Vehicles with over 150,000 km or used for more than 5 years should be serviced for inspection, cleaning, testing of the fuel injection system, and replacement of worn components to prevent engine overrun issues. Vehicle owners should regularly check engine oil before use; if consumption increases noticeably or fuel smell appears mixed in the oil, immediately see a mechanic for inspection without delaying further use. Otherwise, you risk encountering this situation.
