Car running hot; won’t keep coolant
My car is running hot and won't keep coolant.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Coolant leaks are serious problems because the entire cooling system pressurizes as it gets hot. There are many possible sources: radiator, water pump failure, heater hoses, freeze or expansion plugs in the block. I would suggest hiring a top-rated mobile mechanic to come to your home or office to diagnose the leak and inspect the entire cooling system.
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Causes of this can be not having enough coolant, a broken thermostat, a damaged heater core bypass valve, or a blockage in the core itself. If you encounter any of these issues, you should never drive an overheating car. Have it towed to an auto shop if you must, but you never want to risk your car`s engine.
If you find that you`ve got a car running hot but not overheating there might be a few reasons: Clogged or damaged radiator. Low coolant level. Damaged water pump or thermostat.
If you are regularly topping off your coolant, you have a coolant leak somewhere in the system. It can be difficult to identify where the leak is coming from. Often it is best to have a professional diagnose a coolant leak, but there are a few things you can check before bringing your car into a shop.
Your problem may simply be a loose or damaged cap not keeping coolant where it needs to be. The radiator cap is designed to allow access to fluids in a `closed` system. The coolant used to cool the engine does so at maximum efficiency when kept at specific pressure. Check your owner`s manual for proper cap replacement.
If the coolant level is dropping and there is no external leak evident, then the coolant is probably leaking internally, into the engine. If the car has recently overheated then this could have caused the head gasket to fail. If it has, it could be leaking coolant into the combustion chambers.
If your car is overheating, there are a few things you can do to try to solve the problem: Check the coolant level and add coolant if necessary. Check for leaks in the cooling system and repair them as needed. Clean any debris from the radiator and cooling fans.
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.
Can you top your coolant up with water? Coolant should only be topped up with water in case of an emergency when the coolant liquid level is lower than it should be. While topping up with water will help you get safely to the nearest RAC Approved Garage and identify any issues, it shouldn`t be relied upon.
An airlock in your heating system can be removed easily by bleeding the radiators. Doing this will force the airlock out of the system, so you should attempt this task on all your radiators, including the ones that are cold all the way through and cold at the top.
In most cases, all you will need to do is bleed the radiators in your home using a radiator key to release some of the pressure. There is a pressure release valve on every radiator that you can easily find. Turning this will help release pressure from the boiler.
Leaks mean low fluid, and when a vehicle`s coolant/antifreeze levels drop, there is simply not enough fluid to do the job. The hot fluid can`t make it to the heater core and though everything is working properly, your interior never heats up.
The engine cooling system, in a larger sense, also encompasses the heater core. Things that adversely affect, say, your radiator will also harm your heater core. The coolant/antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that coat the surfaces inside the cooling system, including the heater core.
If the coolant tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical in nature, in which case a tow to the nearest repair shop is definitely in order. A leaking hose, worn or broken fan belt, bad water pump, or malfunctioning thermostat may be the culprit.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car runs hot and doesnt keep coolant
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time, overheating issues are caused by a radiator leak, leak in the coolant lines, or a failed thermostat. The worse case scenario is that you’d have a blown head gasket.
However, if you’re seeing small drips on the ground, the leak could be coming from one of the hoses, which might also introduce air pockets into the coolant line. This could be what’s causing your overheating situation. However, it might be a good idea to have a local certified mechanic stop by your home to do a complete cooling system inspection. That could save you a lot of money instead of replacing parts that you are unsure are faulty.
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No coolant in the reservoir. Seen low coolant message. I added 2 quarts of 50/50 coolant. Still getting the message. How much coolant doe it need?
ANSWER : Hi there. For the coolant light to go out, you would need to have the coolant between the low line and the full line for the light to go out. If the coolant is low and keeps on being low, then look for any signs of coolant leaks. You may have to use a coolant pressure tester to pressurize the reservoir to allow the leak to be found.
If you need further assistance with the coolant being low and the warning light being on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Car running hot; won’t keep coolant
When I crank my car it won’t keep running unless I keep my foot on the gas. As soon as I release the gas pedal my car stops running
ANSWER : The first thing you need to check for in a case like yours is air leaks. Check all the rubber parts and hoses under the hood for good condition and connection. The amount of fuel delivered to your engine is determined by the air that flows in and any air that gets in through a leak without being measured means less fuel being injected. There are of course a number of other possible causes; a failed Mass Air Flow Sensor for example, but they will require special skills and equipment to be examined. You can have this conveniently checked out by contacting Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your car and let you know exactly what it will take to solve your problem.
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Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
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My car is running hot, what could be the problem?
ANSWER : There could be an issue with the cylinder head gaskets. Antifreeze can break down and become acidic if not replaced as normal maintenance. The head gasket material erodes and can cause engine compression to build up in the coolant system. This will prevent the flow of coolant which can create an overheating condition.
There is a test that can be done to check whether there is carbon monoxide in the coolant system; it involves special equipment.
I recommend having your overheating condition inspected, and perhaps have a block test performed.
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My car is over heating and the coolant is running out fast.
ANSWER : This can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds. When this switch is not working properly, this can cause the fans to come on intermittently, all the time or sometimes not at all. When this happens you will notice a temperature spike and drop occasionally as the fan comes on and off. When your thermostat is not working properly or is stuck closed, this will not allow the coolant to properly circulate through the engine, which may cause the engine temperature to fluctuate erratically or in some cases just remain hot. You may also have a water pump that is beginning to fail. Water pumps often times will begin to produce a bit of a whining sound when they are starting to fail. A common problem also associated with this is the water pump may begin to leak around the water pump shaft due to the seal being damaged. In addition to leaking around the pump, you may have a leak elsewhere in the cooling system coming from one of the hoses going to or from the radiator. Lastly, you may have a failing cylinder head gasket allowing coolant to leak from the water passages into the cylinders resulting in the coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber with the fuel. If this is the case, you may also notice a bit of white smoke coming from your exhaust which is a product of the coolant being turned into a steam like vapor. I would suggest having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your cooling system.
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The car keeps running hot.
ANSWER : Hi, thank for writing in. I would recommend checking to see if you may have a blown head gasket. If you notice any signs of oil in the coolant or water in the oil turning a milky color, this may be a sign of this. Also, you may notice a bit of white smoke coming from the exhaust as well. Here at YourMechanic, we can have a technician come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest the necessary repairs.
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Car won’t start.leaking coolant antifreeze out of drain hose.changed coolant tank cause had a crack in it.now car won’t start
ANSWER : Hi there. There are several reasons why you might be experiencing overheating issues with your car. However, without knowing the vehicle details, it’s hard to give you a good diagnosis. It could be the water pump, bad thermostat, an air bubble in the coolant lines, or a blown head gasket in the worst case.
The best thing I can recommend for you is to contact a local ASE certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle’s starting issue and determine what needs to be fixed.
Read Full Q/A … : Car running hot; won’t keep coolant
