Engine overheating

SARAHINMAN

MEMBER
2008 FORD EDGE
80,000 MILES

My SUV overheated the other day to where it was smoking and gushed water from the bottom of car. We filled it with water (was empty) and drove it to mechanic. It ran normally on the 3 mile drive. Mechanic and they said that they couldn't find anything wrong with it. And then 3 days later after driving it, it started overheating again. The 2 times this has happened the car was running and I was stopped. Also the AC blows warm air then the temperature dial goes from normal to hot in a matter of seconds. I checked and there is plenty of water in it now. After thinking about it tonight I don't hear the fan blowing like it usually does but you'd think the mechanic would of noticed that but I dunno. Trying to get it looked at again but they are booked the next 2 days. I really need my car so was wondering if y'all could give me some advice because I don't want to ruin my car obviously. I know its hard to try to diagnose without seeing the car, just thought that I could get some direction :-) thank you so much!

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,128 POSTS

I honestly feel you already know what's wrong with it. It sounds to me like the cooling fan isn't coming on like it should. You see, when sitting still, there is no air flow through the radiator to cool it. Once moving, that changes and fans aren't needed as much or at all at times. Therefore, the first thing I would do is allow the vehicle to run (idle) until it reaches operating temp. If it goes over normal temp and the fans don't turn on, that is the problem.

This guide can help

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

Let me know what you find.

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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 AT 7:55 PM

FREDDIE2741

MEMBER
1 POST
2008 FORD EDGE
3.7L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
208,113 MILES

Riding along and without any indication there was lose of power and engine shut off. Steam was boiling off reservoir. After cooling engine we started and add water into reservoir and as it sat there it rain hot again and there were bubbles bubbling up in reservoir. During that bubbling process there into the reservoir I saw a light brown thick oily goo bubbling in reservoir with water and the water stop bubbling, but the oily substance started spewing out of and over the reservoir. Left the vehicle over night, drove home, no missing, no water in oil, no loss of power, both fans running, and temperature stayed normal. Got home with it and again that oily goo spewing out. Engine runs perfectly, but temperature goes hot mark on temperature gauge. Want to know what this is indicates and so I will know what and how to repair?

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Thursday, October 11th, 2018 AT 6:05 PM (Merged)

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Either rent a pressure checker from auto parts or have a mechanic check for a blown head gasket pretty much sounds like it.

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Thursday, October 11th, 2018 AT 6:05 PM (Merged)

DIONILSY

MEMBER
1 POST
2008 FORD EDGE
110,000 MILES

Engine overheat and coolan burns off coolan m I replaced fan speed controlled module after I knew fans were ok. But it did not work.

Second replaced the entire cooling fan unit brand new and did not fix the problem either
The two intents aparently worked but just for hours
now have the fans bypassed while the fix halpen

what else shkuld be the problem?

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Thursday, October 11th, 2018 AT 6:05 PM (Merged)

HMAC300