Overheating engine can you help me fix it?

Hello,

You could have an air pocket stuck where the ECT is. When you fill your cooling system you need to fill it from the highest spot. For instance, on my vehicle, a 1997 Ford Mustang GT with a 4.6L engine, I take of the upper radiator hose from the thermostat neck. I than fill the cooling system through the upper radiator hose until I have coolant running out of the thermostat neck. This way I ensure that there are no air pockets present in my cooling system. If an air pocket is present, then the coolant will not be able to circulate. This guide can help us fix it

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

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

Hi there,

Often i does not take much to blow a head gasket, i would be getting a Co check done, this is a simple chemical test in the radiator, it will detect any Co build up in the cooling system, if so you will have a head gasket problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

use this guide

Mark (mhpautos)

Sometimes the cooling fan will stay running after the car is turned off. Some are on timers, others through temp switchs. If the fan shuts down shortly then I wouldnt worry about it, especially if you know of others that do it with no harm being done

Have coolant checked for CO possible headgasket failure. See any bubbles in rad?

The "smoke" you are speaking of may be steam if you are having engine cooling issues. You may be seeing the break down of your head gasket or possibly a leaking coolant galley plug.

First change the thermostat and see if it goes away, that will probably fix it. If not you could choose to get your hands dirty or take it in.

Let me know if you go with getting your hands dirty.

I am surprised that the shop didn't advise you to replace the thermostat since they are already working on the water (really close to one another).

To answer your question, faulty thermostat does not control the operations of the water pump. For as long as the engine is running and the serpentine belt is attached, the water pump will continue running and will not circulate the coolant kin the thermostat is stuck closed.

There are several reasons why a vehicle overheats.
1. Faulty thermostat.
2. Faulty coolant temp sensor.
3. Radiator fans not working.

Answer these questions.
Does it overheat all the time, or some of the times? If so when? At idle, at the stop light, while you are driving. What speed.

What you notice it overheating, do the radiator fans turn on? Do you have enough coolant? If you turn the fan control to maximum and temp control (on the dash) to full heat, does that help lower the engine temp gauge in the instrument cluster?

You can run the car without a thermostat, but I won't recommend it. Rather than doing that, just replace it with a new one. It only costs less than $10 and 3 10mm bolts to undo to remove the thermostat housing.

You may want to consider to have the engine pressure-tested to make sure that you don't have any internal leak that can cause the overheating and rough idle.

I would try the thermostat. Like I said $10 and 3 bolts. Maybe 20 minutes.

Internal leak means bad head gasket and will have to be replaced. Top half of the motor has to come out. You can do it with a friend's help (not just anyone, someone who knows about engine), and a repair manual and proper tools.

But seriously speaking, repairing head gasket is not a simple job. If you have never done one, your helper has to be someone that has done.

But pressure test should be performed before any work is to be done. If you feel you can't trust the shop, you should ask your friends and family for a shop or maybe a backyard mechanic that they use.