Repair Topics / Engine Runs Hot

• Why does my engine over heat?
• Why does my engine leak coolant?
• How a cooling system works
• How to replace a radiator
• Car is making a bubbling noise
• How does a car heater work?
• Why wont my car heater work?
• Why does steam come from the exhaust pipe?
• Why is there coolant in the oil?
• How to test a thermostat
• How does a clutch fan work?
• How does a serpentine belt tensioner work?
• Car is making a chirping noise

Question: 1999 Ford Mustang mileage: 96,000. I have changed and bought new hose's, thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor fan and fan clutch and fan shroud on this Mustang and had the heads checked. It is still running close to hot, higher than normal. What else is there left for me to do beside go to a three row radiator?

Answer:   Check for radiator blockage, remove radiator to replace with new to repair problem.

Question: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro mileage: 90,000. The engine is starting to run hot, at 250 degrees. Even at nighttime, it runs hot. I have replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat, but it still overheats. Someone told me it might be the catalytic converter is clogged and needs to be replaced. Is this true? How do I check that?

Answer: Check to see that the electric fan that cools the radiator is coming on when the car is running hot. If not you need to replace the cooling fans and control relay.

Question: 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 mileage: 80,000.  It is running above normal temp.  I have changed radiator, clutch fan, water pump, hoses, and I am not losing any water.  I have also pressure tested cooling system, cooling fan has been changed to a 7 blade fan, took a compression test and had 150 -160 all the way across except 2 cylinders which were 125 each.   What else can I do to fix this problem?

Answer:  Try replacing the thermostat, sometimes thermostats can open partially causing the effect you describe. Replace thermostat with new to recheck system.

Question: 2001 Nissan Pathfinder mileage: 106,000.  My question is similar to one you have had before about the engine heat gauge in the red.  We noticed the car leaking antifreeze.  We had the car checked, but after the pressure test, there was no leak.  Four days later, the same thing happened.  Does this mean the car will overheat even if it is a phantom reading?  I would like to change out the thermostat myself, but is this a good idea?  Is it fairly easy in this car?  Thanks in advance.

Answer:  It sounds like you have a water pump that ids going out and needs to be replaced. And as far as how tough the job is, its like my Dad always said (Bob) "it's just nut's and bolt's... not to bad."

Question: 2001 GMC 1500 mileage: 100,528.  After a few minutes of driving the truck, it will run hot.  Checking under the hood reveals antifreeze blowing out from near the water pump.  I checked the reserve bottle and the anti freeze in there is still cold as if it is not being circulated.  There is no water in my oil as I thought maybe the head gasket was gone.

Answer:   From what you describe, your water pump may be failing. Replace water pump with new to recheck system.

Question: 2000 Chevrolet 2500 mileage: 77,000. I put new manual transmission, new injectors, new thermostat and Radiator with hoses.  When I drive, I feel heat coming in where the stick shift knob is, on the instrument panel, I have radiator arrow coming from 220 to 240, and then it climbs over.  What is a possible cause for such a thing?  What can you tell me where to look?  No leaks.

Answer:   First check the radiator temperature with a separate temperature gauge.  This will double-check your dash gauge.  Remove the thermostat and replace with new it may be faulty.  Check for exhaust in the cooling system. (Blown Head Gasket).

Question: 2002 Toyota Tundra mileage: 84,550. My truck started running hotter than normal, so I was going to check and replace the thermostat. Instead my husband was kind enough to change it for me, the thermostat was not functioning. It still is running hotter than usual. In past years I had done most of my own repairs having grown up playing in the garage with my dad. I also worked in his shop with him during high school, but had to stop when I became a surgical nurse (doctors frowned on my fingernails but wanted my car advice) What should I do/check next?

Answer: We are betting the radiator is partially plugged. Replace radiator with new to recheck system.

Question: 2002 Nissan Xterra mileage: 102,000. I noticed my water temperature gauge was getting too high so I figured I should put anti-freeze in the radiator and that plastic jug next to it to cool it down some. After doing that the same day (I let the car cool down while I was at work for 8 hrs.) It still shows the gauge way up there in the red after just a few minutes of driving. The gauge isn’t broken because it does fluctuate from hot to really hot. What else could it be?? Thanks in advance!

Answer: First thing to check or replace would be the thermostat. Replace with new to recheck problem.

Question: 1999 Saturn SL1, mileage: 100,000. When I drive this car more than 4 miles, the needle gauge always goes to hot. A friend of mine already changed the thermostat and it still does the same thing. What other factors contribute to this problem? What should be done?

Answer: Does the electric fan cycle on when the temperature is up? If not check fuses, temperature sensor and relay. You may be overheating due to a partially plugged radiator. A radiator repair center can check that for you and if necessary remove and replace the radiator.

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