Cooling system
Mobile Cooling System Repair
An engine that runs hot has a cooling problem somewhere, such as a leak, a stuck thermostat, a weak water pump or a clogged radiator. These parts are replaced at your home or workplace, on all makes and models.
- All makes and models
- $125 diagnostic, credited if you go ahead with the repair
- Nephi to Ogden, including Eagle Mountain and Heber
What the cooling system does
The cooling system moves heat out of the engine. Coolant circulates through the engine and the radiator, and these parts keep it moving at the right temperature.
- Radiator. It sheds engine heat into the air. It can leak or clog.
- Water pump. It circulates the coolant. A failing one can leak or stop moving coolant.
- Thermostat. It opens and closes to hold the engine at its working temperature. One stuck closed causes overheating.
- Coolant and hoses. Low coolant or a leaking hose can cause overheating. Coolant needs the right mix of antifreeze, because plain water can freeze in cold weather.
Signs your cooling system needs attention
- The temperature gauge climbs above normal. Do not keep driving.
- Steam from under the hood. The engine is overheating.
- A sweet smell or a green, orange or pink puddle. Coolant is leaking. Clear water under the car after the A/C runs is normal condensation.
- The coolant level keeps dropping. There is a leak somewhere, even if you cannot see one.
- The heater blows cold air. Can mean low coolant or a stuck thermostat.
What cooling system repair costs
A water pump that sits behind the timing belt costs more to reach than a thermostat or a hose.
- Diagnostic
- $125On every job. Credited if you go ahead with the repair. Kept if you decline it.
- Travel
- $75 to $100Depends on distance and fuel. Charged in addition to the diagnostic.
- Repair
- By vehicle and laborThe price depends on your vehicle, the parts and the labor it needs.
What a cooling repair involves
Cooling parts are opened only once the engine is cool. Replacing a part means draining some coolant, swapping the part and bleeding air out of the system afterward. On some engines the water pump sits behind the timing belt, which makes the job larger. Used coolant is toxic and should not go on the ground or into a storm drain.
Questions
Questions about cooling system repair
Is it safe to drive an overheating car?
No. Pull over and turn the engine off. Driving an overheated engine can warp parts and ruin it. Let the engine cool before opening anything, and never open the cap while it is hot.
Why does my car overheat when there is no leak?
A stuck thermostat, a failing water pump, a clogged radiator or a fan that does not run can all do it. So can an internal leak, such as a head gasket. A coolant leak can also be small enough to evaporate.
What does a thermostat do?
It stays closed while the engine warms up, then opens to let coolant through the radiator. One stuck closed causes overheating; one stuck open can leave the heater weak and the gauge low.
Can I just top off the coolant?
Topping off with the engine cool is not a repair. Coolant that keeps dropping is leaking, so have the leak found before relying on the car. If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over and turn the engine off.
Radiators, water pumps and thermostats replaced at your home or workplace
Call or text and say what the temperature gauge does.