Overheating

ALEX LYNN NEGRETE

MEMBER
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
2.7L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

Our car overheated one day pretty bad we pulled over and let it cool off then tried to start it would start but not stay running. I let it set and towed it back and found that the radiator was dry and then we found an air leak and fixed it. Stopped overheating. We let it sit and run for about an hour never overheated but once we start to drive it overheats as soon as we start to reach 30 or 40 after a few minutes. Tried to turn the heater on to cool it off to find out now the heater doesn't work. As soon as we pull over the car cools down. Even while running it only overheats while I drive. The thermostat opens up. I see 1 leak but it's nothing major just a little bit of antifreeze.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Overheating when driving is normally caused by a restriction or poor flow. This is normally caused by a thermostat issue or some other restriction. How have you confirmed the thermostat is opening?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

When you say the heat doesn't work, is this a new issue? If so you most likely have an air pocket in the heater core causing the coolant to not flow sufficiently.

I would suggest using a spill free funnel to fill the system and jack up the front end so that the coolant fill funnel is the highest point. This will help work any air to the highest point. This will help force out any air pockets.

Let's start with this and we can go from there. Thanks