Overheating
Car Overheating or Losing Coolant
If your car is overheating, pull over somewhere safe and shut the engine off. Do not open the radiator cap while the engine is hot, because the system is under pressure and can spray scalding coolant. Let it cool fully before touching anything, and do not drive it further.
- All makes and models
- $125 diagnostic, credited if you go ahead with the repair
- Nephi to Ogden, including Eagle Mountain and Heber
What should I do right now if my car is overheating?
Pull over safely.
Do it as soon as you see the temperature gauge rising or a warning light.
Shut the engine off.
Running it further can cause serious engine damage.
Wait for it to cool.
Give it a long time. Do not pour cold water on a hot engine.
Do not drive it further.
Even if the gauge drops, the cause is still there.
Get everyone to a safe place, then call or text.
Say where the car is stopped and what it did. Whether the repair can be done there depends on the problem and the spot.
What makes a car overheat?
Overheating means the cooling system is not moving heat out of the engine. Causes include:
- Low coolant from a leak. Hoses, the radiator, the water pump and connections can leak. A green, orange or pink puddle under the car is a clue. Clear water from the air conditioner is normal.
- A stuck thermostat. If it stays closed, coolant cannot circulate to the radiator.
- A failing water pump. It moves coolant through the engine. Leaks or a whining noise can point to it.
- A radiator or cooling fan problem. A clogged radiator, or a fan that does not run, especially in traffic.
- A blown head gasket. A more serious cause. Thick white exhaust smoke that keeps going after the engine warms up, or coolant that disappears with no leak, can point to it. A little white vapor on a cold start is normal.
Is it safe to drive an overheating car?
No. Driving an overheated engine can warp parts and cause damage that can turn a small repair into a large one. If the gauge went into the red once and came back down, the cause is still there.
Low coolant means the coolant went somewhere, and the leak needs to be found. Topping up with plain water is only a short-term measure, and plain water can freeze in cold weather. The right coolant mix is what belongs in the system.
Having it diagnosed
Call or text and describe the problem. The diagnostic visit is $125 on every job. If you go ahead, the $125 is credited toward the repair. A declined repair does not return the $125. Expect a travel fee of $75 to $100 in addition to the diagnostic, depending on distance and fuel.
Questions
Questions about an overheating car
Why is my car overheating?
Low coolant from a leak is one cause. A stuck thermostat, a failing water pump, a fan that does not run or a clogged radiator can also do it, as can an internal leak such as a head gasket. A diagnostic is the first step in looking for the cause.
Can I add water to my overheating car?
Only after the engine has cooled completely, and never by opening the radiator cap while it is hot. Plain water can freeze in cold weather, so it is only a short-term measure. The right coolant mix belongs in the system, and low coolant also means a leak to find.
How long should I wait before opening the radiator cap?
Wait until the engine is fully cool, which takes a long time. If you are unsure whether it is cool enough, do not open the cap. Hot coolant under pressure can cause serious burns.
Why is my car overheating but the coolant is full?
A full reservoir does not rule out a problem. A stuck thermostat, a failing water pump, a clogged radiator, a fan that does not run or air trapped in the system can all overheat an engine with coolant in it. A diagnostic is the first step in looking for the cause.
Car running hot?
Give the year, make and model and what the gauge or warning light did.