Engine overheated

SHESHI

MEMBER
1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
16,483 MILES

Since I got the car, nothing has been wrong with it. Past the small flying colors. I drove it for a week nothing happened, did not run hot. The next day I get in it, and it was driving fine for a couple of hours, then it started running hot. So, I stopped to add cooling to it, but it kept spitting it out, but the cooling hands start going down. Start back driving went back to hot instantly. I went a couple of blocks to get ready to pull over and something falls from under the hood. Someone says it's a water pump pulley. So, can that happen instantly? I never had a problem with noises in the car. No leaks, it just happened back day.

Friday, March 11th, 2022 AT 7:44 PM

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

An engine can overheat due to a stuck closed thermostat, which can fail without warning. Also due to a bad water pump, faulty radiator, inoperative cooling fan. It can also overheat simply being low on coolant.

Have you made sure the coolant is at the correct level?
When the thermostat fails in the closed position it will prevent coolant from flowing, which will lead to the engine overheat fairly quickly. Typically, with a stuck thermostat there will be noticeable temperature difference between the upper and lower radiator hose.

Here is a helpful guide that covers the typical overheating issues:

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

Go through this and let me know what you find or if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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