Car engine is over heating
This week I noticed the car is over heating and the radiator needs to be filled daily. I dont see any leaking when I fill it. When I stop I hear hissing and of course steam. Could it be the hose? Thermostat? waterpump? I dont see any leaking of fluid….hmmmm. I just need to see if it is cost effective to repair…:)
My car has 250000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you are seeing steam then you have a leak. Have the system pressure tested to see if the thermostat housing is leaking. The housings and intake is plastic and are known to leak from warpage of the plastic. I recommend having the system checked by a certified technician. A mechanic from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect your car for leaks and make any repairs as needed.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common reasons a Ford Explorer is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat. Coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)
Why does my Explorer`s engine overheat? There are two main causes for engine overheat: The coolant does not flow through the system like it should. There is not enough air flowing through the radiator.
Engines can overheat for many reasons. In general, it`s because something`s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn`t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it? It could be that the coolant concentration is not correct, or you may have a bad thermostat, a failed water pump, broken drive belt, or a bad radiator or radiator fan.
The most common reasons for your car temperature gauge going up but not overheating are due to temperature sensor failure, a broken temperature gauge, engine control unit failure, corrosion in connectors, or damaged wires feeding to the sensor or gauge.
Can an engine survive overheating? Yes – as long as you respond quickly and don`t let your car go into full meltdown mode, it should be repairable. Too much heat can result in further complications, such as cracks leading to significant oil leaks or loss of performance.
Technically speaking yes you can use plain water in your cooling system but it isn`t recommended as a long term solution and certainly not in extreme weather conditions.
Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle`s cooling system.
Put your car in neutral or park and then rev the engine. This makes the fan and the water pump work faster, which pulls more air and more water through your car`s radiator. This increased circulation cools down the engine.
How long can a car overheat before damage occurs? It only takes 30-60 seconds of overheating for permanent damage to infiltrate a vehicle. As soon as you notice signs of overheating, you need to act. Failure to do so might result in troubles like coolant leaks, damaged radiator caps, and a faulty cooling fan.
It gets even more concerning and confusing when car overheating suddenly returns to normal. This phenomenon can happen for many reasons, like a bad thermostat, a faulty radiator, or a coolant leak. As such, it`s best to get your car checked by a professional— like RepairSmith!
If your car engine is still hot after two hours, there are a couple of possible causes. It could be overheating due to low coolant levels, a broken fan belt, a clogged radiator, a stuck thermostat, or electric cooling fan failure.
However, the coolant temperature sensor is often located right on the cylinder head or engine block. You will find it installed conveniently on a plastic hose on the coolant`s inlet. Some automobiles come with more than one coolant temperature sensor.
The P0118 code refers to issues with the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) circuit and its accompanying sensor. The ECT is a thermistor, or an electrical resistor, whose resistance is significantly reduced by heating.
Driving your car when it`s overheating can cause serious – and sometimes permanent – damage to your engine, so it`s best to stop driving as soon as possible. Pull over and away from oncoming traffic, then turn off the engine. Open your hood (or call for help).
With the engine off, open your hood and locate the water pump pulley. With gloves on, grab it and wiggle it back and forth. There should be no movement, if there is, this along with the noise is a good indication you may have a water pump problem.
Frequent fault symptoms are: Higher idle speed. Increased fuel consumption. Poor starting behaviour.
Nevertheless, oil (and any anti-wear components present in the oil) breaks down at high temperatures. Its chemical make-up becomes unstable, and it doesn`t absorb heat as readily. If you don`t change the oil consistently, you increase your engine`s chance of overheating.
Repeated overheating can be a sign of serious engine damage. Repeated use of an overheated engine can accelerate that damage rapidly. In extreme heat, core parts of the vehicle`s engine can crack, warp, and fail — resulting in instant death to your vehicle`s powerplant.
Prognosis/Possible Complications. If you avoid heat stroke, recovering from heat exhaustion usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Depending on the severity of heat exhaustion, you may be hospitalized so doctors can monitor your fluid and electrolyte levels to avoid complications.
If you don`t have coolant available, you should top up your radiator with the highest quality water that you have. Ideally, this would be distilled water. You can also use bottled water or tap water.
That said, a severely overheating engine can cause the cylinder walls or the pistons themselves to warp, bend and deform. This will cause the perfect seal between the piston and the rest of the engine to lose integrity. Oil could be forced past the piston rings and into the engine, where it will burn the oil.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
The engine of the car runs, but when I push the gas pedal it does not accelerate, and the engine does not rev.
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you may have an issue with your throttle position sensor. This sensor sends a reference voltage to your power-train control module, which uses that to determine ignition timing and fuel trims. If the power-train control module is not detecting the proper signal from the throttle position sensor, the engine may not accelerate properly. It’s probably a good idea for you to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is slow to accelerate inspection first, so they can pinpoint what is causing this issue to occur and they will recommend the right repairs be completed.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
A/C and heat are not working properly. Car blows heat in summer and cool air in winter.
ANSWER : Common causes of no cabin heat include malfunctioning blend door(s) (part of the in-dash ventilation network), a faulty or stuck heater control valve, a plugged heater core, stuck open engine cooling thermostat, collapsed hoses, and low coolant level. The cost to resolve the problem depends on which of the foregoing faults is the cause. If you desire a diagnostic to determine exactly why there is no cabin heat, please request a non functioning cabin heater diagnostic and the responding mechanic will come right to your location and get this resolved for you promptly.
With regard to your air conditioning system, if merely re-charging the system restored normal operation but the a/c ceased to function after a month or so, that scenario typically suggests a leak. Some leaks are really cheap to repair, like if a couple o-rings need to be replaced in system piping but if the leak is at the compressor shaft seal, that repair is more costly. It is not expensive to find the leak and diagnose the system and once the leak is found the mechanic can let you know of the exact cost to repair the leak and re-charge the system. If you desire that service please request an a/c system diagnostic – suspected refrigerant leak and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
Car not speeding up smoothly, service engine light on when first start driving and car vibrating
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The problem this can cause may also be compounded when the engine is cold due to the change in air density in cooler weather. The mass air flow sensor monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays information about fuel and air temperature, air speed entering the motor and many other things to the ECM which uses this to make adjustments to fuel supply to the motor. A dirty or faulty sensor can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bit of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel when this sensor is malfunctioning. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The problem this can cause may also be compounded when the engine is cold due to the change in air density in cooler weather. The mass air flow sensor monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays information about fuel and air temperature, air speed entering the motor and many other things to the ECM which uses this to make adjustments to fuel supply to the motor. A dirty or faulty sensor can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bit of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel when this sensor is malfunctioning. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
My car is over heating. It doesn’t take long for it to over heat till it is smoking and I have to turn the car off.
ANSWER : There are a couple of possibilities for such a rapid overheating situation. The thermostat may have failed in the "closed" position preventing the hot water from circulating and cooling in the radiator. The water pump or the serpentine drive belt may have failed and the hot water does not get circulated through the radiator.
If one of the head gaskets on the engine has failed, combustion gasses from one or more cylinders can "superheat" engine coolant very quickly. If the coolant level is low and there are air pockets in the engine, the coolant is literally "boiled away" inside the engine, creating far higher temperatures than an engine that is "full of coolant".
It is recommended that you get a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to perform an inspection and determine the cause of the overheating.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
Check engine light on brand new car
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. A vehicle being that new should not have any kind of warning lights. If you think there is an operator error, look to your owners manual for more information about the vehicle. This is your best source for information about the way the vehicle is designed to perform. You likely have a warranty that will cover this. The burning smell is a definite sign that there is an issue. Even with an operator error, the engine should be fine. The parking brake however may be an issue. Make sure she is disengaging it. The engine only having 200 miles on it, is not broken in yet. The engine works best after around 1,000 miles. For an inspection into what the check engine light is trying to tell you, contact our service department.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
My car’s engine heat indicator goes up within 1 to 2 minute after I starts car. What is the reason for engine gets hot too soon?
ANSWER : It sounds like the cooling system is not performing as it should be. This could be due to a low fluid level, a restriction in the system, or a faulty temperature sensor. I would recommend having the coolant level checked first to make sure that it is full as this would be the most obvious sign of an overheating issue. I would then recommend having the temperature sensor inspected and tested by a qualified mechanic. Once this has been done, if the issue is not found yet, I would recommend having a coolant flush performed to remove any restrictions that may be in the cooling system.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.
Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.
To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
Reduced engine power and car shuts off
ANSWER : Hi there. If there is carbon build up on the valves in the engine then that can cause a rough running condition and even a check engine light but that will not usually cause the vehicle to stall. It sounds like you have another issue going on here. From my experience with this vehicle most of the time this is caused by a voltage issue. Most of the time it is a loose or dirty ground connection or an issue with the ignition switch. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what is coming up as that can assist in finding the issue. If the codes do not help then the electrical system would need to be diagnosed to see where the power is being lost. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on and why the vehicle is stalling] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-stalling-inspection
Read Full Q/A … : Car engine is over heating
