Overheating

Hi Fred,

The leak is not that big of a deal if it is just the hose leaking. However, the running hot in drive could be a big problem.

Here is a list of items that could cause a potential overheat or just run hot:

1. Engine cooling sensor issue
2. Engine cooling system restriction
3. Cooling fan inoperative
4. Thermostat not opening properly
5. Head gasket issue
6. Water pump issue

Here is a guide that talks about most of these items in more detail. If you are looking at buying this vehicle, I would expect a discounted price to ensure you have enough room to have this fixed whichever it is.

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

That sounds like a pretty good deal even if you have to do some work or worst case, it will bring more in scrap. Sounds like the major components prove out. Could just be a sensor issue. Like I said, the leak should be easy to fix if it is coming from a hose. As for the running hot, I would get an infrared temperature meter and measure around the engine to see where you are getting hot. As I said, it may just be a bad sensor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Yes. That should help. Especially if there is a code, that will point us in the correct direction. If there is no code, hopefully your scan tool can monitor the sensor data. If it can then we need look at the various temperature sensors (ambient, intake, coolant) with key on and the engine off and cool. Each sensor should be reading about the same (close to ambient temperature) however, if the coolant temperature sensor is reading incorrect it will cause your temperature gauge to read incorrectly. If the engine is not actually running hot (which is what you are looking for when using that infrared meter) then I would expect your coolant temperature sensor to be higher than the other two temp sensors when the engine is cold.

To sum up, let me know if there are codes and then tell me what each temperature sensor is with the engine cold and not running.

Okay. That's great. Even if it does start to run hot, if you are saying only one fan was running, I would address that before anything else. Those are not that complicated or very expensive. Sounds like you got a deal.