2000 Kia Sephia Overheated car having problems

SPRMOM3

MEMBER
2000 KIA SEPHIA

Engine Cooling problem
2000 Kia Sephia 4 cyl Automatic

As I was driving yesterday I noticed my gauge and realized my car was starting to overheat. I pulled over to the side of the road and poped the hood and there was radiator fluid leaking all over my engine and hood and spitting out fluid from the front seam of the radiator. As much as I didnt want to I tried to drive it to the closest gas station so I could park it and cool it down. Before I got to the gas station the car overheated and shut off at the light right before the gas station. I got it towed home and let it sit over night. When I started it this morning to check it out I noticed the car doesnt run as loudly as it had before and after about 5 mins it sounded like it was about to stall out. Ive checked hoses and they seem to be fine, but the gauge on the dash isnt moving either. Also the fans dont seem to be working either. Until yesterday I had no problems with overheating or funny sounds or anything. I dont have money to bring it to a mechanic at the moment, just hoping to figure out the problem. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

EDIT: Theres also a big puddle under my car of fluid and when I was checking around I wiped my fingers across the bottom corner of the radiator and got a hand full of fluid there too. If thats all thats wrong could that also be causing the gauge not to work? But what about the fans?

2 Replies

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

You should first wash all of the coolant off of your engine and radiator. Then refill your cooling system and start your engine. Give the engine time to heat up (about 10 minutes), but don't let it overheat.

When the pressure starts building up in the system, watch for any obvious external leaks. Where ever coolant is leaking will have to be repaired.

Now to check the thermostat, feel the upper and lower radiator hose. If one is hot and the other is cold, then the thermostat is stuck.

Also, then fans should kick on after about 10 minutes or so. If the car begins to overheat and the fans don't kick in, then inspect the relay.

Next check the water pump by squeezing the upper radiator hose while someone revs the motor. If you feel the pressure as rpms increase, then the pump is working. However, you need to make sure there's no air in the system, as the pump could cavitation. Also, check the tightness of the serpentine belt.

Finally, it's possible the overheating situation destroyed the coolant temp sensor and maybe even blew a head/gasket.

To check the head gasket, remove the surge tank cap and have someone rev the engine while you look at the coolant. If you see large bubbles, the gasket is blown. If the gauge needle still doesn't move, then check the sensor.