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Car overheating immediately after oil change

Tiny
MZJASMIN78
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE VAN
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,286 MILES
I went to have my oil changed at the local Walmart auto center and within a half a mile the engine started to overheat. I checked the coolant tank and it is completely empty although I put coolant in about two weeks ago. I drove the car all morning and to the Walmart with no overheating issues. Is it possible someone disconnected a hose during the process of the oil change? I did add more coolant but the car still overheats after a few minutes of driving.
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 10:39 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

If it was a hose, then adding coolant would have solved the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

It sounds like something else. I would suspect a thermostat to start.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Roy

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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
MZJASMIN78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Hi Roy. Thanks for responding. I found the issue and car is fine. However, I have a question. If my car had no coolant in the reserve or radiator would it overheat right away? I believe the coolant was drained from my car because there wasn't any and the car drove fine before oil change. Also just checked coolant about two weeks ago and it was fine. Never had car overheat. Today it drove a quarter mile and was in the red. Thoughts if that would explain what happened?
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
How much did you add to the system?

A thermostat would let it overheat that quickly if it was stuck closed.

Roy
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:39 PM
Tiny
MZJASMIN78
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The mechanic added the coolant to reserve and radiator so not sure, but it is driving as usual with not even going past the half way mark like usual. This was a mechanic I called and not the location that did oil change. Would adding coolant fix a thermostat issue? Or is it possible the oil change people drained the coolant and caused the issue?
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, adding coolant doe not fix the thermostat.

If they drained the system, you would have to add about three gallons of coolant.

Did he pressure test the system for you?

Roy
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
DAVID JEAN-GEORGES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi MZJASMIN78. Please could you tell me what was wrong with the car and how did you fix it? I have the same issue. Thnk you.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 AT 4:09 AM

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