How often do you look at your temperature gauge? If you are like most drivers, our guess would be almost never. Most drivers look at their temperature gauge so rarely that many vehicle manufacturers don’t even include temperature gauges anymore but just lights that will come on if your car is either extremely cold or extremely hot. However, if your car is running hot but not overheating, you might not know it without a gauge.
However, even if your vehicle has a temperature gauge it may not be telling you as much as you think. Many factory temperature gauges are designed to read in the middle of the gauge over an extremely wide range of temperatures and may not tell you if you have a car running hot but not overheating.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get an accurate reading of your coolant temperature, you may consider using a device that can read the exact temperature from your car’s coolant temperature sensor. There are many options for tools can use but one of the most versatile is a BlueTooth OBD2 code reader and an app on your phone where you can read different values from each sensor, including the coolant temperature sensor.
If you find that you’ve got a car running hot but not overheating there might be a few reasons:
- Clogged or damaged radiator
- Low coolant level
- Damaged water pump or thermostat
- Overworked engine
Assuming your cooling system is working properly meaning it’s full of clean coolant and doesn’t have any damaged or clogged components, then it’s possible your cooling system just needs a little help to keep things at the right temperature. To give your cooling system a boost, add BlueDevil Engine Cool to your coolant to give it that extra cooling capacity to keep your car from running hot.
You can find BlueDevil Engine Cool at any of our partnering local auto parts stores like:
- AutoZone
- Advance Auto Parts
- Bennett Auto Supply
- CarQuest Auto Parts
- NAPA Auto Parts
- O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Pep Boys
- Fast Track
- Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
- S&E Quick Lube Distributor
- DYK Automotive
- Fisher Auto Parts stores
- Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
- Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
- Salvo Auto Parts
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- Genuine Auto Parts stores
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- Consumer Auto Parts
Pictures Provided By:
overheating_guage.jpg – By Allanswart – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
337 responses to "Is Your Car Running Hot but Not Overheating?"
337 Comments
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What about this scenario: so far, this has only happened on an unseasonably warm day and a colder day, the day later. I was warming up my car like I normally do in cold weather, and I probably shouldn’t have done this on the warmer day (about 55). I was in house while car was warming up; heat was on, but not full blast. I came out about a half hour later and temp gage was ridiculously high, but not on “overheat”. As soon as I got into gear and started driving, it came down to normal and I had no issues the rest of the day, with a good amount of driving. The next day I did the same thing, although I only warmed up for about 10 minutes. Again, looks like gage was getting high. I had heat on full blast. Again, I drove car and temp gage came right down to normal. Before answering, please consider that I DO normally warm my car up in the winter for long periods of time and have never had this problem.
Will-
Based on your description, the best place to start would be to check that the thermostat is functioning properly. You can test the thermostat yourself by placing it in boiling water and ensuring it is opening up at the correct temperature. Assuming your cooling system is working properly meaning it’s full of clean coolant and doesn’t have any damaged or clogged components, then it’s possible your cooling system just needs a little help to keep things at the right temperature. To give your cooling system a boost, add BlueDevil Engine Cool to your coolant to give it that extra cooling capacity to keep your car from running hot.
Thank you!
-BDP
I would also check to see if your radiator fan is working properly!
Started to do this after I changed out my alternator red coolant light came up blinking on and off did my thermostat get stuck or am I low on coolant?
Lawrence-
Based on your description, it sounds like the system was low on coolant. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Every thing has been changed out that could make a problem but the gage is still saying over heating on a 2005 Saturn Relay what can I do to fix it.
Linda-
Has a mechanic taken a look at the vehicle to properly diagnose it? What are the parts that you’ve already had replaced? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My pt cruiser will run hot but has water, we have checked several things. But found out most of the time when it got hot it would actually burn wires and I would have to have it required is this normal
Brenda-
Thank you for asking about your PT Cruiser. The first thing to check in this situation would be the thermostat. If the thermostat is sticking, it could cause the engine to run hot, without losing any water/coolant. If the thermostat is functioning properly, the next component to explore would be the water pump. The water pump is responsible for circulating water throughout the system. If circulation is being restricted, it could cause the engine to run hotter than normal.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car only get hot if I turn on my air then the engine get hot in my sontra
Monica-
If the issue is only arising when you put the a/c on, it’s possible the a/c would be the culprit for the engine starting to overheat. This could be due to low refrigerant levels or the a/c compressor failing to engage. This could also be due to a faulty fan clutch or issues with the radiator, so it may be best to have the problem diagnosed by a mechanic.
Thank you!
-BDP
My truck is full of coolant now and running hot. 07 gmc cayon. Any ideas of why or what will work?
Shayne-
If you are unsure as to why your truck is running hot, it may be best to bring it in to your local mechanic for a proper diagnosis. A faulty thermostat, a faulty water pump and/or a faulty radiator could all cause the engine to start running hot without a loss of coolant.
Thank you!
-BDP
Cooling fans …check to see if they come on…….if not take connectors apart and make sure there clean and in good shape…..
My car over heated but the temp Gague showed cold
Scott-
Is your vehicle losing any water/coolant or are you noticing any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
So what is wrong when my car 2016 Chevy Cruze well let’s say now it’s hot out my cold air is working great and gauge is normal middle but my fan isn’t coming on another deal it goes back and forth days or weeks at a time the other scenario is as soon as I start it the overheating displays on dash saying turn air off(without air on) and then the fan at this time when it happens is running non stop and the heat or air doesn’t work..it switches back and forth it’s frustrating
Carla-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruze. Based on your description, it sounds as though you may be dealing with a bad relay switch and/or faulty thermostat. A bad relay switch would prevent the thermostat from sending the proper settings to the fan, causing it to run constantly. A faulty thermostat would explain the “turn air off” issue, without the a/c being on. Replacing the thermostat would be the best place to start. If the problem persists, we recommend bringing the vehicle in for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 230 SLK 1998 it ran great a couple of days ago a light came , low coolant . It started to run a little hot at first I thought thermostat than I opened the radiator cap couldn’t see any liquid, so should I get some coolant & put in, I don’t want to drive so please let me know what is the best option!! Thank you so much
Renate-
If the system appeared low on coolant, you would want to top the coolant off to bring it up to the proper level. Low coolant levels would explain why the engine started running hot. If the problem persists after filling with coolant, or you notice the coolant level is falling again, we’d recommend bringing the vehicle to your local shop for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
2005 chev impala my car runs hot but not overheating if I turn the air on or heat it doesn’t change what should I do
Meme-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? When was the water pump last replaced? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Same here
Bree-
Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a Toyota sienna 2005 xle limited that I bought few months ago in Nigeria. It was previously used in the west coast of US. I am the second owner. The vehicle has done 207,000 kilometres. About 2 months after I bought it, I started to hear a kind of pinging or rattling sound when the engine is hot or used for about 40 minutes. You hear the sound only when you want to move or accelerate in a slow moving traffic. It’s not continuous. Only at the take off at every stop. I thought something was wrong with the cooling system but my coolant is ok. No leaks. The temperature gauge does not rise beyond the centre. The air conditioning is cooling well all the time even with the sound so loud. People have told that my thermostat may have been delaying in opening. Some mechanic also said my radiator or fan might be faulty. But the fans work. Some other mechanics said maybe my catalyst is partially blocked. Though the bank 1 of the catalyst is not there anymore. It’s been stolen. Just the pot is there. However, I have used computer to check my engine temperature after driving the vehicle with air conditioning for about 1 hour and it reads 89°C. Could you please offer any advice? I am far away in lagos Nigeria. In fact I have to park the vehicle because I don’t want any further damage
Kola-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Based on your description, it doesn’t sound like the issue is cooling system related. Given the fact that you are not losing coolant, the temperature gauge does not indicate overheating and the temperature you provided would be normal operating temperature for your leak. Have you tried checking the engine oil? A pinging or a rattling sound could indicate low oil levels and certain metal components not getting the proper lubrication.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Your coolant temperature sensor is bad
There’s a unit responsible for triggering the fans at a certain temperature, this unit also send a signal to you temperature gauge on the dash. If the unit is broken/malfunctioning it would read as low on the gauge and not trigger on the fans which causes the overheating issue.
What if they come on at first it was a fuse fuse was replaced fans working oil is good coolant is goos but from were radiature hose connects to engine looks like high heat made metal hook up look burnt
Temp gauge reads constant rite in middle half way but I no engine temp is high im thinking thermostat or clogged some were
Why is my car overheating, it only overheats when the oil coolant sensor is on, as soon as I take it off the car runs perfect without any issues no smoke or anything( i take the negative charge off the battery allow the computer to reset and the car is brand new again). It also jerks and stalls when the sensor on ?
Robert-
Based on your description, we would recommend replacing the oil coolant sensor. It’s possible that a faulty sensor would send incorrect information to the vehicle’s computer system and affect engine performance. Based on the vehicle running normally with the sensor removed, a faulty sensor is likely the culprit for your issues.
Thank you!
-BDP
why does my car temperature goes up after i drive over certain speed?
Muhammad-
Does the needle start to come back down after a little while or does it rise and stay there and starts to go towards overheating? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2012 Impala goes to red (H) when I drive a certain speed and also within 15-20 minutes of driving. My coolant was recently put in at jiffy lube two months ago. My car says overheating idle engine but there is no smoke or anything . The fan normally stays running even when i got my car off but it’s not doing that. The engine light also comes on. What’s wrong with my car?
Chanel-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. Have you noticed a loss of coolant or had to add any coolant while this was occurring? If not, it’s possible the thermostat is faulty and not opening up at the proper temperature. If you have not done so already, try replacing the thermostat to see if that corrects the issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
This is what my 2014 Chevy Malibu is doing
Renee-
Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of your vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
The temperature gauge in my car goes above normal when I put on the AC….
Edison-
Does the needle go over to the red zone, indicating overheating, or is it just fluctuating a little? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so we can get a little better understanding of your vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Soy car was overheating at first so got it taken to the shop and they put a liquid which was the blue devil for engine crack sealing. For the first week weeks my car was good nothing is wrong take note as well my car doesn’t have the thermostat it got taken off because it was letting the hot come out this one guy said and he said it was fine to drive like that also now my check engine light is on but then a few weeks past and It’s overheating again but I don’t smell anything but I still pulled over and let it cool off I’m not sure anymore of what’s wrong with it
Dese-
Were you noticing a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My vehicle coolant is reducing every time I drive my car, but I can’t see leaks and the vehicle is not overheating. What could be the problem?
Kaya-
How quickly are you losing coolant? Is the low coolant indicator coming on or are there any other indicator lights popping up on the dash? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2009 GMC Acadia and the temperature gauge says the engine is overheating about about 10 minutes but, the engine isn’t hot and the fans come on. I got the temperature sensor replaced but, it’s still doing the same thing. Should I replace the thermostat also.
Elnora-
Thank you for asking about your GMC Acadia. Based on your description, replacing the thermostat would be the next logical step. You can also test the thermostat yourself by placing it in boiling water and see if it is opening up at the proper temperature. If it does not, this would be an indication the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
I having a problem with my temperature gauge, I got the water pump done, ac compressor changed, sensor, thermostat, and a flush within 3 months , it’s going pass half, my fans are running, not sure what the next step, it happens when I drive, I dont go to far, fear that it will really go towards hot, it’s going pass the half mark now, only when I’m driving a few miles, I really don’t go anywhere to work and back home, but when driving somewhere a little farther it goes pass half, but not over to the hell side lolol
Sun-
Have you noticed any kind of pressure building up within the system? Are you seeing a bubbling/boiling over of coolant in the reservoir? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
hello, i notice my ford escape 2003 always build up within the system and also see and hear bubbling/boiling over of coolant in the reservoir. but it does not show on the guage.
Abba-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Escape. It’s possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I put water in mine and it stopped
My car has had a problem overheating but now it’s running perfect but still says it’s dangerously overheating. But fans are working no bubbling sound and no smell. I have recently changed the sensors and new thermostat so I don’t know what’s going on.
Jacittia-
When is the last time the water pump was replaced? Have you noticed if the vehicle is losing water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2000 grand Cherokee and my radiator fan won’t start. I replace the module under passenger headlight . Water pump, thermostat, sensors and fan still won’t turn on any ideas ?
M7-
Thank you for asking about your Grand Cherokee. The most common reasons the fan won’t kick on is a blown fuse or a bad relay. It could also be caused by a faulty temp sensor or low coolant levels. It sounds as though you’ve replaced the temp sensor already, so if the coolant level appears to be normal, you may want to check the wiring.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
the only thing I can think of bro is that your thermostat is starting to stick so once it starts sticking it’s not going to open as much and the coolant system is not going to circulate as well and when you’re running it are you running the heater cuz if you run a heater that will take heat away from your coolant system cuz it’s basically a mini radiator for your heater core
Car isn’t overheating at all but the temperature hand goes all the way to hot,what is the problem and how can I solve it
Pamela-
If the temperature hand is going to the H indicator on the temperature guage, it would indicate overheating. Is the vehicle losing water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have the same problem except my car is losing water but I don’t know where
Randi-
If you are not sure where the leak is coming from, it may be best to have the vehicle diagnosed by a certified ASE mechanic.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have same problem my gauge goes from cold to hot after driver it a shot distants, maybe 4 miles.. before this happened a heard a sqeeling sound for a couple of days prior like a pulley, 1 day a drove it and it went to the red when I pulled into my garage smoke poured out alot. Now I can’t drive it but 4 miles and it goes to red quickly even on a cold day. We changed the t-stat but still doing the same thing
Cheryl-
Based on your description, we recommend taking the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis. Unfortunately, a vehicle can develop an overheating issue for a number of different reasons, and for it to be overheating within a short distance, could indicate a major problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
I’ve got a 2003 Aztec that the temperature gauge is going to the hot zone in seconds. Just replaced the thermostat and coolant. Never had a problem with it before. It’s not overheating or having any smoke or leakage. Just the gauge goes from cold to extremely hot just going around the block. It’s been suggested the coolant temperature sensor might be causing this to happen. It also doesn’t throw out any heat. Air’s blowing just not getting any hot air from it. AC works great. Any ideas?
Dalena-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Aztec. Other than a faulty coolant temperature sensor, another possibility for your issue is that an air is trapped in the system and causing an air pocket. The air pocket is restricting circulation and forcing the vehicle to overheat rapidly. This would also explain the lack of hot air blowing out when the heater is on, as coolant may not be able to flow through the heater core to give you proper heat. We recommend bleeding the system first to remove any potential air pockets. If that does fix the issue, you may want to bring the vehicle in for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I am having the same problem, except it only happens sometimes. Sometimes I can drive it for severely miles and the temp is fine, then all of a sudden the gauge shoots up to hot withing a few seconds. I’ve all ready changed the thermostat that was stick open. And it seems like it’s losing water, but I have no idea where, because it’s not showing any signs of leaking. I have an 04 Honda Civic.
Stacee-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Have you noticed any smoke/steam coming out of the exhaust pipe? Based on your description, it may be best to have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. This way, you can possibly prevent any further damage.
Thank you!
-BDP
whenever i sit in traffic or a long drive thru line my car begins to overheat. when i drive off it goes back down but when i turned my car off it started smoking. what could possibly be the issue?
Alexus-
Where was the white smoke coming from? Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
This sounds like the Fans are not working. Most newer cars use electric fans that are triggered by a thermostat to cool the engine when you aren’t moving down the road.
Hopefully the “smoke” you are describing is steam from the radiator. Was it at the from to the car?
My car warms up fine. After a short drive in the city, tempreture will go up close to the red and then within seconds it will drop back down to normal. It does this every 10 minute or so. When I drive on the freeway its never does this only driving in city. I’m thinking of changing the thermostat and then flushing the radiator? Thoughts?
Mike-
Based on your description, it does sound like you are having an issue with flow, although intermittent. Checking the thermostat and flushing the cooling system would be a great place to start. A faulty thermostat and/or a contaminated cooling system could restrict circulation and cause the temperature to rise. If doing those two things doesn’t correct the issue, another component to consider would be the water pump.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 2013 dodge grand caravan. I noticed yesterday the temperature gage was a little high. I checked coolant. It was full and no leaks. Today it was doing the same thing but when I was going over 50mph it was going closer to the H. But when I slowed down it went down but not to normal
Jessica-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Grand Caravan. Based on your description, the best place to start would be to check that thermostat is functioning properly. A faulty thermostat could cause the engine to start overheating if it is not opening at the proper temperature. You can check the thermostat by placing it in boiling water and make sure it is opening up.
Depending on the mileage, another thing to consider would be doing a cooling system flush. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend flushing the cooling system at regular service intervals as part of the routine maintenance on the vehicle. If the problem persists, it may be time to take the vehicle in for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
Make sure coolant level is good……..if it’s cold out and you lose heat while idling and get heat back when your moving check fluid level……cheapest fix…
My car has been losing coolant lately. The temp hand is slightly higher than usual sitting on 1/2. Usually it’s a little below that. I can’t drive it for 10 minutes before it starts steaming from under the hood because of the loss of coolant. All the time this is going on the temp hand remains at 1/2. Any ideas on what this may be?
Audree-
How quickly are you losing coolant? Typically, the temperature hand reading at the 1/2 way mark doesn’t indicate overheating and in most vehicles, actually indicates normal operating temperature. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Our radiator had a blow up in December. It got hot and spewed on the engine. We took it to a mechanic and he flushed it and refilled it. He said the coolant was like “tang” (drink). A week later we had issues with the heaert not getting hot and took it back. He fixed it and everything seemed fine. The temperature gauge then began reading at the 2/3 mark and it never went past 1/2 before. We took the vehicle to another mechanic and they flushed it again and said it was fine. Now 2 months later we are still having it read at the 2/3 mark when we have driven about 45 min and then park. After parking it will go to the 3/4 mark and back to half in a matter of 2 minutes. While driving, city and highway miles, it stays at the 1/2 mark. It USUALLY only reads a hotter temperature when we have driven for a while and then park it. The engine does not feel hot when I lift up the hood. I don’t know what to do! We are going on vacation in a month and want to be sure it will be ok. Can you help?
T. Childers-
Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Based on your description, it is also possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
Thank you for the reply! There has not been loss of water/coolant since we first had it fixed. I will try your suggestions. Thank you so much!
My car does not have any leaks and full on coolant. After driving for about 45min to a hour while on the highway most of the time, the temperature gauge start to show the temperature go up but only 1 bar nothing to bad or to hot but when i put it in neutral and rev my engine just a little it will go down. But 20-40min later it will do it again. I all ready had the water pump replace and radiator cap replace about 5 months ago and it just started happening last couple of weeks.
Evan-
Based on your description, it is possible that you are dealing with a slight restriction in the cooling system, causing the temp gauge to fluctuate. If you have not done so already, try checking the thermostat to make sure it is opening up at the correct temperature. You can place the thermostat in boiling water to make sure it will open up. If the thermostat seems fine, a cooling system flush would be the next recommendation. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
My truck gives lots of heat when the dial is on cold
Vinny-
Is the vehicle overheating when you have the A/C on? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
my car is going straight to hot after getting my alternator replaced but there is no smoke coming out but it is making this grinding noise
Treazura-
Is the vehicle overheating or is the temperature just fluctuating? Was the vehicle losing water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My vehicle’s entire engine bay (hood and all parts under the hood) becomes very hot to the touch in a short amount of time. The vehicle does NOT overheat, and temperature gauges are all normal. The vehicle did not always feel so hot to the touch after use but has for some time now. I am concerned with parts becoming damaged over time even though most are heat resistant–the amount of constant heat is unusual. I am curious if this is potentially a radiator, thermostat, or water pump issue.
CJ-
Are the fans kicking on in this short amount of time? Usually, if the thermostat and/or water pump are faulty, you will have an issue with overheating. The fact that you are saying the temp gauge is staying in the normal range lends to reason that both are working properly. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I’m going through the same thing Was wondering what advice you gave and it’s shifting front 1st-2nd gear alittle different
Brittany-
Are you noticing any other symptoms? How many miles are on the vehicle? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Did you find out what the issue was? I’m having the same problem although the shifting differently just started. Seem to only be 1st to 2nd. Has to rev to like 3 or 4k before shifting.
Ben-
Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Cj mine does the same thing in my 4.8 silverado but my 4.8 tahoe and my 5.3 z71 tahoe do not even at idle. It’s not really a concern for me except somedays my 4.8 silverado is my work office”security”.I have the same concern that you have about Parts being at a constant high temperature when I am sitting in the lot I usually raise my hood and park in the shade if not heat can be felt from 5 ft away from the vehicle with the hood closed to the point that the AC have a hard time cooling the vehicle on the inside other than that though my AC blow frigid when the hood is open and on hot days rolling down the road. It is an older truck so I was even thinking about cutting a hole in the hood and putting a louvered Hood like some 4x4s have or putting a exhaust fan on the top like you see external radiators have.
2013 2.4 liter Dodge Advenger…all new top engine heads and gaskets and thermostat a year ago. 160k miles, was running great until yesterday. When I noticed that the car is running hotter then usual. Its usually at the 1/2 way mark…its now creeping above it. I see no leaks, fluids are full. No white smoke coming from exhaust…I am frustated. Any ideas, spent so much money on this last year…Help. thanks. Jen in NJ
Jen-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Avenger. Are you hearing the fans click on when the temperature starts to rise? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello I’m having the puzzling issue with my car, so I have a 2007 dodge caliber that doesn’t quite over heat but my sensor comes on after driving for a long period of time. The maximum drive time is about 2hrs straight (road trips) and the CTS will come on but the temperature gauge will remain at a cool level , but the CTS coming on will cause the car to slow down to a complete stop and will not start till the car has cool down why is that ? Remind you the car doesn’t overheat
Keisha-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Caliber. Are you hearing the fans kick on when the coolant temperature sensor light comes on? Based on your description, it may just be a faulty temperature sensor, which replacing the sensor would alleviate the issue. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello,
Last night my car was running warmer than usual- at about the 3/4 mark- and after i parked it, it started to leak quite a bit of coolant. I thought there was a hose or reservoir leak so i let it cool. Now i can not find any leaks, and my coolant is still sitting close to full. There was no steam and it never actually overheated. Any ideas on what could cause this?
Caitlin-
What kind of vehicle was it and how many miles are on it? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Hyundai i20 2009 is the fan is kicking, everything runs fine, the temp gauge is seating at half but the engine and the radiator pipes are very very hot no leaks just hot I removed the thermostat, thought it was dead but I never replaced it I biapassed it. Any idea
Lannie-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai. Based on your description, it doesn’t seem like there is an issue. The temperature gauge sitting at about the half way mark is normal operating temperature in most vehicles. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder i started smelling antifreeze so i parked vehicle to cool off as it was cooling off antifreeze started leaking. My gauges never showed hot. I filled it up again let it run for a few minutes and noticed there was no circulation. What can be the problem?
Candie-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Pathfinder. Circulation can be restricted for a number of different reasons. Perhaps the thermostat is stuck closed and not allowing proper circulation. You can test the thermostat by removing it and putting it in boiling water. The water pump could also be the culprit, as its responsible for circulation. Another possibility is that jellied antifreeze or other debris could be clogging/restricting flow. Flushing the cooling system should alleviate the lack of circulation if that is the case.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
2002 Honda Accord. Car is running hot. Runs good for about two weeks and guauge starts rising. Changed thermostat. Flushed raditor, fans running good, coolant good. Could new radiator be needed.
Wendy-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Depending on the mileage on the vehicle, the water pump is another possibility as to why it would be running hot. A water pump that is just starting to go could not be pumping water/coolant properly but, circulate just enough to keep it from overheating immediately.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
i have a 2005 honda civic. Recently the temperature gauge has been reading hot, all the way up passed the H. the engine however is not running hot at all. coolant levels are fine and i even have a bluetooth ODB code reader that shows the coolant temperature at around normal, nor am i getting any engine codes for the cooling system. at first i thought it might be the temperature sensor under the hood but now im just thinking the dial is stuck in the wrong position. when i turn the car off and all the other gauges including fuel drop down, the temperature one stays all the way up. any ideas or suggestions??
Joseph-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. The fact that you are not getting any engine codes or warning indicators leads us to believe that it wouldn’t be a faulty temperature sensor. Have you noticed any issue with engine start up or have you experienced a lack of power? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi.. My car needed coolant topped off 5 times today. Temperature gauge read normal.
Ross-
It sounds like you are losing coolant very rapidly. Are you noticing any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2002 pt cruiser has been red lining the temp dial.. out of know after driving a bit the temp hand will start rising up pretty fast to the max, and il turn the heat wide open and try to hit a pot hole in case the thermostat is sticking and then the temp hand will go back to normal. This will happen at least once within a 20-30 min time frame. I’m not losing any water .. please help!
Jessica-
Thank you for asking about your PT Cruiser. Based on your description, a faulty thermostat is the likely culprit. The thermostat regulates your engine temperature. If antifreeze can’t flow through your radiator, the heat can’t disperse into the air as it should, causing the vehicle to over heat. Replacing the thermostat should solve your problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
my car temp goes up sometimes and goes back to normal coolant is good just got another raditor cap checked thermostat found no leaks,fan is working taking it to jiffy lube constantly for check ups cant find out what the problem is its a 2002 pt cruiser
Carlo-
The problem you’ve described would usually point towards a faulty thermostat. If you have not done so already, try replacing the thermostat to see if that fixes the issue. If the problem persists, we’d recommend bringing the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I got an 06 Chevy Malibu and when I drive it for a long period of time it won’t overheat but it’ll run hot and quit driving acting like it don’t wanna go anywhere.
Trevion-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Malibu. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2006 Jeep has the 5.7 hemi and lately has been getting up to temp in less than 5 min of idling but never goes past normal running temp. I believe it is also sometimes causing the engine to stall if it heats too quickly. I’m thinking thermostat or a sensor any thoughts suggestions.
Travis-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep. If the thermostat was stuck closed, you would have an issue with overheating, not just getting up to normal operating temperature. Have you noticed any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango, and when I drive my truck after an hour or two the temperature starts to increase. It never overheats though.. It will run at a low temperature for the first hour or so.. Then it will increase to about 210. Then it starts to drive funny and it has even smoked( that stopped when I got a new radiator cap) I don’t know what’s the problem. Any suggestions?
Isaiah-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Durango. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? It’s possible the thermostat is becoming stuck at times, causing the rise in temperature. You can test the thermostat to make sure it is functioning properly by placing it in boiling water and testing to see it is opening up at the proper temperature. If not, replacing the thermostat would be your best bet.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2013 Chevy Cruze and the tempature light comes on as soon as u start the car and the check eingine light is on… there seems to be no leak and the gauge goes to H but the car isn’t really hot like I said u can start it and it will start off saying it is hot what could this be thanks
Laura-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruze. If it seems like coolant is flowing normally and you are not experiencing a leak, it may be an issue with temperature sensor being faulty. If coolant flow seems restricted, some possibilities as to why it would overheat are a faulty thermostat, water pump going bad or a clog in the cooling system.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 2005 Honda Accord hybrid and it stalled out and when I press the gas the whole car looses power and won’t go and jerks and it’s only happened in weather over 105 degrees but the temperature gauge is not going up. What is wrong?
Jeffrey-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 01 Honda Accord V6 EX or LX Sedan. My cars temperature gauge (while driving) goes down to about 1/4 but then when i stop or go idle, the temperature gauge slowly goes right to the middle. Radiator fluid level is in between min and max also. And when i start my car I hear almost a bumbling noise that’s coming from the passenger side, (where i think maybe my water pump is at) behind the vents. Do you know what may be the cause?? I know a good bit about cars and i think it might be a sign or my car trying to tell me my waterpump is about to go or break very soon. Thank you so much, and i appreciate you taking the time to read my post.
JD-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Usually, if the temperature gauge shows the temp going down while driving, it is indicating the thermostat isn’t functioning properly and may be stuck open. We recommend replacing the thermostat.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2011 Kia Sorento , About 98,000 Miles And Just recently my car started leaking coolant and the temperature gauge goes up all the way To the H , when I turn on the car all the coolant just falls out , do you know what this might be?? Thank you So Much!
Mariana-
Thank you for asking about your Kia Sorento. Are you able to locate where the coolant leak is coming from? With the amount of coolant it sounds like you are losing, and how quickly you are losing it, it’s possible you have a loose hose connection allowing coolant to spew out when the car is started. If you are unable to locate the leak, you may want to bring the vehicle in to a shop for an inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello, I have a 2013 Buick Encore with 81000 miles on it.
Well I have noticed puddles of coolant under my car, however the car does not over heat the temp gage does stay in the middle.No lights are on the dash.When I pop the hood to make sure there is still coolant inside I take the top off and the coolant will rise up and bubble not all the way back to the line though. so I just top it off.The car runs fine I just don’t know what’s the problem might be like what I might need to replace.
Nj-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Encore. Based on your description, it is possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello, I have a 2007 Mercury Mariner. We have a fair amount of snow right now so I have to drive 3-4 miles in Low to get out onto a main road. Recently I’ve noticed steam coming from the front end after driving in Low. The temp gauge does not indicate that the engine is overheating and I can shift to Drive and drive down the highway with no apparent problems. Coolant level is topped off and there don’t appear to be any leaks. I would welcome any suggestions.
Wit’s end-
Thank you for asking about your Mercury Mariner. Based on your description, it’s possible the steam is simply condensation from the snow melting off the front of the vehicle. If the coolant is reading at the proper level and the vehicle isn’t overheating, it doesn’t sound like you are experiencing any kind of a leak. Continue to monitor the situation and perhaps try testing the vehicle in areas where there is not as much snow to see if you can duplicate the steam.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi. I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna with 130,000 miles on it. When I’m driving, the temperature gauge is at half. AC and heat are fine when driving. When i park or stop at a red light, the temp rises quite quickly, the heat blows cold or the AC blows warm, and the fan is really loud. When driving resumes, the fan sounds normal and AC and heat work again once temp gauge hits half mark.
Mike-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Based on your description, the best place to start would be to check that the thermostat is functioning properly. It’s possible that it is sticking closed at stops, restricting circulation and causing the vehicle to start overheating. Replacing the thermostat should fix the problem in this case. Also, a cooling system flush would get rid of any jellied antifreeze or other debris stuck in the system, that could potentially be impeding flow. If neither works to solve the issue, your best bet may be to bring the vehicle in for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1997 chevy lumina and I have 243,000. It also has the same temperature problems as Mike explain on November 18th 2019. Will that same ingredient work here
Louis,
Thanks for your question about your 1997 Chevy Lumina. Yes, it’s possible you’ve got a stuck thermostat or dirty cooling system. If your car heats up at a stop and blows cold air when the heat is on we would recommend starting by checking your coolant level as low coolant cause also causes that to happen. Similarly, we would recommend checking your cooling fans to make sure they are coming on when your car gets hot. If your cooling fans are broken your car will overheat while idling but you will still get heat from your ventilation system. If your cooling system is clean and your thermostat and cooling fans are working correctly then you may need a new water pump.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
2006 Toyota Corolla. The temperature gauge is not going past the midpoint which is completely normal. It’s about 40 degrees outside. However, it seems that the gauge gets to the midpoint a lot quicker after sitting for awhile. Usually it takes about 5-10 minutes to get there. Now it gets there in about 3 minutes – or in a mile. I’m not using the heat, and the heat/AC is pointed at the midpoint.
Is this a problem or am I overreacting? I had a car catch on fire almost 10 years ago and last week I was driving my father’s truck (it was 23 years old) and it caught fire. So sometimes I think I am little sensitive to stuff like this.
Eric-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. Based on your description, it doesn’t sound like anything to be alarmed about. It would be a good idea to check your fluid levels to ensure you’re not low on coolant. If the temperature gauge goes to the midpoint and then starts to drop, it could be an issue with the thermostat.
Thank you!
-BDP
my car will stall sometimes after i start it, the thermostat keeps going up and down, and i have no heat while the car is idling. what do you think the issue is?
Adam
Adam-
Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? It sounds like you may have some kind of a restriction in the cooling system not allowing proper circulation. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I own a Golf mk3 GS 1.8 ltr, My heat gauge goes on while the temperature stays at 75 degrees, what can be the problem? I’ve recently replaced my engine mountings and manifold (exhaust) gaskets my top gasket has also been replaced i have drained out the radiator and threw in clean coolant but my heat gauge light still goes on.
NV-
Thank you for asking about your Golf Mk3. Is it a low coolant indicator that is coming on? Is the needle on the temperature gauge going passed the half way mark or look like it is approaching overheating temperatures? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, having a few issues with LS2 6.0ltr engine it making a pinging knocking noise, only happens when at full temperature and after driving for 30mins, it has been to my mechanic he struggled to diagnose this problem.
Noticed the other day when I pulled the bonnet up it was very hot in the engine bay, hotter than normal but it’s not overheating on the temp gauge, it’s even melted the insulation on a couple of ignition leads, do you think this could be a faulty thermostat, temp sensor or water pump, or not the right ratio of coolant in the cooling system.
Jason-
Are you noticing a loss of water/coolant? The possibilities you’ve pointed out like a faulty thermostat or bad water pump would typically result in overheating. A faulty temp sensor is a possibility, as you’ve indicated the temp gauge isn’t reading as overheating. Does the oil appear chalky/milky? If water is getting into the engine oil, it would explain the knocking sound you are hearing. If you are noticing a loss of water/coolant, another area to check might be the spark plugs. They would appear with a white, crystal-like substance (crystallized antifreeze). Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi i have ford explorer,When I go for drive about 10km,and when I open Engine i found Colanat reservior and colanat pump too hot but It show no anysign inside car everything is fine,guaze temp show normal temp..but I am worried is it normal or any issue…
Ali-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. If you are not getting any engine codes or warnings and the temp gauge seems to be reading normal, you may not have anything to worry about. Some manufacturers recommend replacing the water pump and flushing the cooling system every 90,000 miles, maybe something to look into. As long as you are keeping up with the routine maintenance and getting your vehicle serviced at regular intervals, you should be fine.
Thank you!
-BDP
My mom has a 2008 Chevy Uplander. Couple months ago it started running hot regularly, smoking(steaming)under the hood Extensively and having to add coolant/water…blah blah…and the fans stopped working. at that point I was convinced we had a faulty thermostat or coolant temperature sensor so I purchased both. Possibly fan relay had went bad. Anyways I first replaced the coolant temp sensor and then this thing would be fine one second then only 1.5 miles after starting it up and driving the dash starts Dinging and displayed ENGINE COOLANT HOT A/C off for engine protection. So I pulled over…raised the hood…i could literally touch the motor but it wasn’t hot(rarely it would be hot) and after that for like a week every time we’d drive it the ENGINE COOLANT HOT indicator would always alert damn near constantly. Once I got up to speed and cruise at 55 at 1500 to 2500 rpm’s temp hand normal but as I’d have to accelerate to 3000rpm or more the temperature hand started rising rather quickly until it hit H. it always made me paranoid but every time I’d pull over and check the cover on motor usually barely felt warm at all. Annoying! Finally got around to replacing the thermostat a couple hours ago… I was sure it would be the remedy. I tester the vehicle and went to a store MAYBE 2 miles away and before I then made it there BAM! Engine coolant hot alert again 😥😥 WTF. Got home and got out of her van and I could hear the faintest sound of steam. Opened hood and searched for the source and I found its approximate location… Seems there might be a tiny hole in a certain portion of the radiator hose. Would a tiny penhole Be causing all of this crap? I’m frustrated. After replacing the radiator cap, temp sensor and thermostat I guess it’s time to buy new hoses for the radiator tomorrow. If anyone has any suggestions PLEASE HELP!! if not I might drive My mom’s mini-van over a cliff and have a bit of peace of mind finally 😂
Terrance-
Thank you for asking about your Mom’s Chevy Uplander. A tiny hole or crack in one of the radiator hoses could actually be creating the problems you’re experiencing. It’s possible air is trapped in the system and isn’t allowing the coolant to circulate properly, meaning it may not be able to flow through all parts of the system. If you can pinpoint the faulty hose, replace it and then bleed the system to get rid of all the excess air.
Hopefully this helps!
-BDP
When driving my car for about 20 to 35 km the heat gage shows normal,then all of a sudden it became hot and the needle move to the red,stays there for a while and slowly move back to normal,and go to hot again.
Pieter-
Unfortunately, the issue you’ve described could happen for a number of different reasons. Are you noticing any other symptoms, such as a loss of water/coolant or smoke/steam coming out of the exhaust pipe? How many miles are on the vehicle? Have you ever had the cooling system flushed? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a Nissan March 2007, and of lately the temperature light is coming on. Now when I see it come on I pull aside turn off the car, and wait a few. When I open the radiator the coolant is full. So I switch back on the car and the light is off, so I start back driving. When I am almost home the light comes back on again, so I pull aside switch off the car for a few seconds switch it back on and the light is off, and I drove again and the light does not come back on. When I get home I leave the car to cool and I check the radiator, and it is still filled with coolant. Any idea what is going on? I have a gauge that was installed by the last owner who had to change the engine due to over heating, and she said if the needle crosses 90 the car is over heating. I always pay attention to the gauge, and during this the gauge does cross the 90 and goes either to 95 or 100 and stays around there. Buy as I said there is water in the radiator. I am stomped. And the COVID-19 has me stuck with no mechanic😔
Yanns-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan. With the vehicle not seemingly losing coolant, it’s possible that some type of restriction, although intermittent, is causing the vehicle to start overheating periodically. A faulty thermostat could cause the symptoms you are describing, as if it is getting stuck, it would restrict flow and cause overheating. That would be the best place to start. Depending on the mileage on the vehicle, it’s possible that it is due for a cooling system service and may need to be flushed.
Thank you!
-BDP
My daughters car just started over heating yesterday that she knows of . She said it was overheating and smoking from under hood the smoke was white . Hi er car won’t even make it a mile before over heating again. Both the fans are working and it doesn’t seem to be losing water from anywhere ? Would it be the thermostat ?
Misty-
Thank you for asking about your Daughter’s vehicle. The white smoke/steam coming from under the hood sounds as though it is losing coolant and burning off. The thermostat would be a good place to start to see if it is functioning properly. Depending on how many miles are on the vehicle, the water pump may be faulty and could give you the symptoms you’re describing.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Hello,
Looking for some advice on where to start with my 2013 Jeep Patriot.
A few months ago I was driving and I noticed that after I turned the heat off in my car, the temperature gauge started to rise. Not overheat, but get to the 3/4 mark on the temperature gauge on the dash. After toying with the A/C and heat settings to figure out exactly when the temp goes up, I discovered that it happens when I dont have the heat OR the A/C on. So the temp guage gets up to the 3/4 mark if heat or AC is OFF during highway driving, slightly lower when driving in the city. I also noticed when idling, if I do not have either the AC or heat on, the engine or fan sounds louder. This all just started happening about 6 months ago. Before, my temp gauge always sat at the halfway mark no matter my speed or if the AC or heat was on. What is likely the problem?
Mindy-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep Patriot. Based on your description, the best place to start would be to check if the thermostat is functioning properly. A faulty thermostat or a thermostat that is sticking can cause the increase in temperature you are experiencing. Having the heat on would draw heat from the engine and help it from overheating, so this would explain why the temp is sitting at about the half way mark when you have the heat on. You can place the thermostat in boiling water to make sure it is opening up at the proper temperature. It may be a good idea to replace the thermostat, as this could lead to more issues down the road if it is faulty.
Thank you!
-BDP
so I have a older car 2006 and I put coolant in and the fans work but the temp still goes up not over heating but still hot and the fans start running even when I haven’t even gotten far? Is that normal my car just runs hot ig not really much to explain.
Aspyn-
Did you add coolant because the system was low? Are you noticing a loss of water/coolant? If not, it’s possible that you have some kind of a restriction in the cooling system that isn’t allowing for proper flow. Based on the age of the vehicle, there are a few things you would want to check. The thermostat being faulty would cause the vehicle to start running hot. You can test the thermostat by placing it in boiling water to make sure it is opening at the proper temperature. If it isn’t, it would need to be replaced. A cooling system flush may be a good option for you, as this would ensure that the system is clean and that no jellied antifreeze or other debris are clogging or restricting flow. Also, most vehicle manufacturers recommend that the water pump is replaced every 90,000 miles. Depending on your mileage, this could also be a possible cause for the symptoms you’re having.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car temperature guage goes to the red zone immediately i started the car . Engine not even hot yet and car have been parked for 2daya. Please whatia the cause and the solution to this.?
Timothy-
Did you get any warning lights or did the check engine light come on when this occurred? The most common reason for a vehicle to overheat, without having a coolant leak, is a faulty thermostat. A thermostat stuck closed would restrict the flow of coolant and cause the engine to overheat pretty quickly. Based on your description, however, the most likely possibility is a bad temp sensor. Typical symptoms of a bad engine coolant temp sensor include overheating, hard to start, vehicle idling poorly and the check engine light coming on. Replacing the faulty temp sensor should correct the problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
Went to meineke and they look at my car and said that it was running hot because of the thermostat and the hose they fixed that and my car continued to say it was running hot so they check my temps on the car and said it actually wasn’t running hot that I have a wiring problem that’s cause it to read that it’s running hot what should I do I have no more money I’m out of 300 bucks that’s what they charged me and didn’t fix the problem
Dominique-
Unfortunately, your best option may be to bring the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis. The shop that just looked at your vehicle may have just been trouble shooting some possible causes with out actually diagnosing the vehicle or running diagnostic tests, as they may not have had the equipment/ resources available to do so. Bringing the vehicle in for a proper diagnosis will get you pointed in the right direction.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yellow i like to have an advice about my chevrolet aveo 2008 model !!!!!! Now thise aveo its not averheating its only crack the water botle i buy botles evry time …the ( blue devil its work for what ?) And tel me how to stop the oil leak?
Macala-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Aveo. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2001 grand prix gt and i relpace the ECT sensor thermostat ac/relay and jus put a new water pump and its still reading 260 n temp why is it still telling its hot after i done change all the components
Robert-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Grand Prix. Can you tell if the coolant seems to be flowing properly? With all the components you’ve replaced, one explanation could be that there is a partial clog in the cooling system, that doesn’t completely block flow, but is partial enough to cause the temperature to rise. You can try performing a cooling system flush and then making sure you don’t have any air pockets. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Im goin to try that ty let you kno wht the out come is
I have a 1995 6.5l diesel. After a short distance of driving; the temp gauge goes. Almost all the way to H.. But then within a minute it comes back down to about the 1/4 mark, and will fluctuate between the 1/4 mark and the 1/2 mark..
Seems to only spit coolant out the breather tube if i fill it to the cold fill line before i start driving.. Seems to level itself off, and wont leak anymore after it does this once.. But; the low coolant light stays on..
Thermostat is new.. Thinking maybe fan clutch is faulty, or the fan clutch relay is dead..?
Also, the vents inside fluctuate in temperature.. Goes from almost scalding hot, to room temperature every few minutes. And, rad cap, and coolant is cool to the touch after a few hours of running
Steve-
Based on your description, the vehicle may have an issue with coolant flowing properly.If you haven’t done so already, we recommend flushing the cooling system with a chemical flushing agent to get the system nice and clean. If the issue persists, you can try using a block-dye test to confirm whether or not you have combustion/exhaust gases pumping into the cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello, 2005 Nissan Altima, out of the blue my heat hand started getting pretty high. About 3/4 up and when I pulled over and shut the car off I heard a bubbling sound and it was smoke/steam coming from the water Reservoir. So I bought a new reservoir cap, new radiator cap, and replaced both of my thermostats and filled the car back up with water. After about 15 minutes of driving my heat hand is still fluctuating. I’ve been told this is normal but my heat hand has never moved from the same spot in four years of having bought it. So to me this is not normal, just figuring out what else I should try
Adriannah-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Altima. From the sounds of it, you may have an air pocket trapped in the cooling system, causing the temperature hand to fluctuate. We recommend bleeding the cooling system down. This will alleviate any air stuck in the system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a Chevy s10. I was told the max temperature is 190. But when I have to make a quick stop after being on the road for a while, and go to start it up, the temp gauge reads 210 or slightly higher. I’ve already replaced the engine due to overheating, and everything has been replaced in except the radiator. Am I being paranoid or is there another issue that
Marc-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy S-10. Was the vehicle overheating or is the temperature gauge reading just a little higher than normal? Normal operating temperature in most gasoline engine vehicle’s will range from about 190-210. If you are not getting a check engine light or indicator on the dash, you should be good to go.
Thank you!
-BDP
When my car is parked the car is fine as soon as we start driving, it start going up to hot. What can be the problem.
Rhinda-
Are you noticing a loss of water/coolant? Are you noticing any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car starts out by running hot for about 5-10 mins(can overheat if I try running it). Then it cools down back to normal temperatures and doesn’t act up. What could the issue be.
William-
After the vehicle warms up, are you saying that there is no issue what so ever? Based on your description, it sounds like you may have an intense amount of pressure building up when you first start the vehicle, until the thermostat opens up and allows coolant to flow freely. We recommend having the cooling system serviced, using a radiator flush to make sure that the system is thoroughly clean and that no foreign debris/jellied antifreeze can restrict circulation. Also, try bleeding the system to make sure all excess air is removed.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
My car was overheating a year ago. Had cooling system flushed—no problem for a year. Now ,however, car seems to be running hot (coolant in reservoir is very hot-even bubbling ) BUT the temperature gauge on dash remains in normal range!! WHY??
Greg-
You may have an air pocket trapped in the system. If everything else is working properly, air being trapped in the system would be the only explanation for this. Try bleeding the system to get rid of the excess air. This should stop the bubbling and have the vehicle running normally.
Thank you!
-BDP
Love this thread and that you guys do it! Have had great success with your products on multiple occasions.
Current issue: ’96 Yukon, 5.7l. Changed water pump yesterday due to leak. Now when I start driving with a cool engine, gauge heats up to about half way (210). Once it gets to that point, it cools back down to about 1/4 (165-ish) on gauge and stays there for the rest of the operating time. No further up and down or anything. No overheating, no leaks. I’m curious if this is normal and I simply never noticed it (in the 2 years I’ve been driving this, it has pretty much always stayed right around that 1/4 mark when running that I’ve noticed), or if this is indicative of an issue I should know about? Possible thermostat starting to stick? Air in system?
No leaks at all from the cooling system currently. No prior history of overheating for this engine.
Thanks!
Michael,
Thanks for your question and your kind words! Usually, if you get a temperature spike like you’re describing after opening the cooling system it’s due to an air bubble in your cooling system. Our recommendation would be to run the truck through a couple of warm-up cycles and with the engine at a higher RPM making sure it doesn’t overheat to try and get the bubbles out. While you’re doing this make sure you’ve got plenty of coolant in the overflow bottle. If you still are seeing the engine run a little warm at first then cool down as your drive then you’re right that you probably do have a sticking thermostat.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
My car is running hot and I took it to the car lot that I brought it from. They did a diagnostic on it and the person said that I had a cooling system issue. Now that is want I was told my the service person so I told them to fix it and they said they did, but when I got my car back and drove it a 6 mile from the car lot in started to run hot, but when I took it to them it was not running hot. I had to have it towed back to the car lot. They call themselves doing something , but my car is still not fix and I paid them for work not rendered.
Please need answers
Ann-
Unfortunately, a vehicle will run hot and start to overheat for a number of different issues. What was the diagnosed cooling system issue? Is the vehicle losing water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Drove my car for about 20 minutes on Hwy today when oil light came on it started overheating and then died. No leaks. Coolant, Oil, all fluids looked fine. It started right up after an hour but just had it towed back home. Hands in air!!!
Water pump? Just hope it ain’t shot.
John-
If you are not experiencing any coolant leaks, the source of the overheating is most likely due to a restriction in circulation in the cooling system itself. The best place to start would be to ensure the thermostat is functioning properly. A faulty thermostat (thermostat stuck closed) would restrict Coolant flow and would cause the vehicle to start overheating. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a cooling system service every 90,000 miles. Depending on the mileage of the vehicle and/or wear and tear, this system may be due for a flush.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
My 2011 chevy tahoe temperature gauge is goin to hot but the engine not hot. I changed the thermostat, the water pump, the sensor. Its still doing the same thang
June-
Thank you for asking about Chevy Tahoe. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Does it actually look like it’s going to overheat or is the temperature gauge fluctuating and falling back down to normal? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car fans will turn on after about 10 minutes extremely fast. I had the radiator replaced recently. The temp gauge never moves into overheating area. What could be wrong?
A. Connor-
Based on your description, you could have a faulty temp sensor. Some vehicle’s even have separate sensors just for the temperature gauge. We’d recommend taking it to a shop for for diagnostic tests to be run.
Thank you!
-BDP
Car runs really hot, when I fill it all the way up ith coolant it’s fine for a good week or so,im losing coolant with no visible leak my fans only work when I turn the dial on and I can hear sloshing in the dash when I drive. I bleed the air out with the bleeder screw quite often so it keeps getting back in somehow today I heard bubbling on the passenger side when I was under the hood, hope I don’t need to replace the heater core..
J-
Based on your description, it is possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2003 Honda Civic and my temperature gauge has been rising to H, but there are no signs my car is running hot (no smoke/steam and engine sounds like it’s running fine). I’ve replaced the rad cap, sensor, water pump and thermostat. My heat works for a bit (I was using to cool down engine), but eventually it blows warm/cool air. I was turning on the heat to cool down the engine and the temperature would go down, but it was rise once the heat turns to warm air. Any ideas?
Brooke-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Based on your description, it’s possible the system has an air pocket or some other type of restriction that is preventing proper flow of coolant. Assuming that the cooling system was flushed when you replaced the above parts, an air pocket would definitely give you the symptoms you’re describing. Try bleeding the system to get rid of any excess air to see if that corrects the issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2003 Town & Country recently overheated due to a lower radiator hose clamp defect. I waited for the engine to cool down and put the proper mix of antifreeze in and ran it to check for leaks, there weren’t any. The temperature gauge reads normal (like it always had) just a tad below halfway but when I open the hood the engine and components seem to be very hot. Granted it is 95 degrees out but it never kept me from checking things like oil dipstick, etc. but they were almost too hot to touch. Any suggestions?
Mike-
Thank you for asking about your Chrysler Town & Country. Based on your description, it sounds like the issue was resolved when the hose clamp was replaced. Continue to monitor your temperature gauge and coolant levels to make sure it isn’t overheating. Depending on how long you allowed the vehicle to cool after running, it wouldn’t be abnormal for it to still be hot afterwards. Let it cool for a couple of hours and then try checking the dipstick.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2010 Chevy camaro overheats when I’m sitting at idle like a at a red light or such I thought it was the fans but they’re running fine thought it was the thermostat but after changing it it’s running at an even hotter temperature even while I’m driving (used to run at 199 to 205 after change it runs at 210 and heats to about 225+ at idle) any idea of what this could be?? Also the coolant is completely full and just did a flush recently but same problem
Daniel-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Camaro. Based on your description and the work you have already performed, the next thing to look at would be the water pump. The water pump is responsible for forcing coolant through the engine and back into the radiator to be cooled. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that the water pump is replaced every 90,000 miles, so it may be time for a replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2.3L 2003 Ford ranger. The temperature gauge say’s that the engine temp is okay. Although, When I run my obd scanner, it says that my cylinder head temp is around 240F. When I turn on the heat in my car, it drops to around 215F. Is that normal?
Andrew-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Ranger. Are you getting any codes? This may be normal operating temperature for your vehicle. The thermostat may be designed to open up at hotter temperatures, meaning the cylinder head temp would also be higher.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a 2002 Ford F-150. This past week the engine felt like it was overheating and the A/C stopped blowing cold. Since this time the A/C intermittently will blow cold but for the most part is blowing warm air. The temperature gauge has not moved from its normal position but there is intense heat inside the cab coming from the engine. These are all the things I have done:
1. I have replaced the thermostat
2. flushed the radiator and replaced with new antifreeze,
3. Confirmed the cooling fan is blowing
4 changed the oil and air filter
5. Confirmed there is no coolant leaks.
I just do not know what is making the engine run so hot And if there is anything you could recommend that I look into I would appreciate it.
Carlos-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. Based on your description, it sounds like the issue is more related to the A/C system, rather than the cooling system. The A/C system may just be low on refrigerant because of a leak. We recommend using the Red Angel A/C Refrigerant Stop Leak (https://gobdp.com/product/ac-refrigerant-stop-leak/) to help stop the loss of refrigerant and return the A/C to blowing cold again.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2001 Honda Civic overheats after driving it for about 40 minutes. No leaks, But the gauge stays in normal, it only happens when it is really hot outside. I just put in a new thermostat and a new cooling fan. Any ideas?
Marcelo-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. If the temperature gauge is staying the normal range, what is indicating that the vehicle is overheating? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Car becomes hot when I turned ON AC….But the temperature needle remains at the middle or just below middle….But I can feel the engine temperature which is high than in normal cases………What could be the problem???
Faraz-
Putting the A/C on will put the engine under more of a load, causing it to work harder and get hotter. If the temperature gauge is reading as normal, you should be fine. Continue to monitor the coolant level and check for anything else out of the ordinary.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car overheat so bad the temperature gauge went past back behind C.
John-
It sounds like the issue you are having is pretty serious. Does the vehicle have any other symptoms, such as losing coolant? You can contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 to discuss in a little more detail.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 97 Ford Mustang 3.8 V-6. I start it up and it runs and drives fine, but when I’m like driving in town or so, the temp gauge will slowly start rising. It only does this in town driving, sitting in one spot idling or just putting around on a hot day at low speeds (bout above 75 or 80 degrees out). It hasn’t overheated because I crank the heat and it goes back down to bout the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge. A/c works fine and the fan kicks on to cool the engine. Thermostat has been replaced in the last 6 months. I’m leaning towards my coolant temp sensor but not sure. It gets good fuel economy and drives fine, it’s just on a day above about 75 degrees if I’m driving at low speeds (below 45mph) or sitting and letting the car idle for a few before shutting it off, I have to blare the heat to cool the engine. What could be wrong?
Tyler-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Mustang. Based on your description, you may have a small air pocket in the system, that restricts flow from time to time. Try bleeding the system to see if that corrects the issue. Putting the heat on will help draw heat from the engine to help it from overheating. It may not be a temp sensor issue, as it seems the vehicle could possible overheat under the condition of idling or driving at low speeds.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a Nissan murano my car runs hot when I turn on the air and it be on for a while … but the major problem is when I’m driving up a bridge it goes up and then once I get flat surface it begins to go down I checked the fans they a new radiator is new alternator new I’m really confused I took out the old coolant and put more in there it still do the exact same thing without using air I recently put freon in the car for air now when I have air on it runs hot but that’s rarely because once I accelerate the car began to go down as well same as when I I’m going up a bridge any suggestion please…
Frederick-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Murano. Did you flush the cooling system or just drain and refill? How many miles are on the vehicle? The first thing to check would be the thermostat. The thermostat may be sticking and causing the temperature to rise. You can remove the thermostat and place it in boiling water to make sure it is opening at the proper temperature. If not, it need to be replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2004 escalade base awd with a 6.0. After starting my truck at anytime of the day within 5 minutes it reaches overheating temperatures. When I cut it off I can hear and see the fluid bubbling in the reservoir and the upper radiator hose is extremely hot. Strangely enough I’m getting no symptoms. I have no leaks, no fluid mixture, no smoke, steam, water from tailpipe, I dont smell coolant, heat works, ac works, etc. I replaced thermostat and housing, water pump, radiator, the fan works, and I flushed the system with blue devil radiator flush and still have the same problem. About a month ago I tried bars stop leak on a radiator crack to no avail. In the process of draining system i notice some of still I’m radiator hose. Is it possible that it has clogged up my system or something. I’m really confused because there’s basically nothing else to check i think.
Antonio-
Thank you for asking about your Cadillac Escalade. Based on your description, it’s possible there is some type of a clog in the cooling system. More likely, however, you may have an air pocket or carbon gases getting into the cooling system. Try having a block-dye test performed. This is testing for combustion/exhaust gases pumping into the cooling system. Coolant bubbling or a boiling over into the reservoir could be a symptom of this.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
We have a Ford Taurus wagon.. not sure the year.. But while I was driving I started smelling what seemed to be wires burning. A little smoke came out of the a/c vent and the temperature gauge was maxed out completely past the hottest point on the gauge so i immediately pulled over and turned the car off. Popped the hood to help cool the engine. Water was a little low but nothing major.. What has me confused, is with my experience with 2 vehicles in my past had overheating issues and when they got that hot you could literally feel the heat radiating from the engine compartment when you popped the hood. Plus you could hear the water in the cooling system basically boiling making a bubbling sound.. NOTHING like that was happening in this case. After 20 or so mins on the side of the road and seeing no kind of movement in my temp gauge dropping i topped off the water and tried to crank it.. It started up fine, didn’t sound weird or anything but the temp gauge was still stuck at an extremely high temp.. I tried my luck and drove it 5 miles home with NO negative indications whatsoever.. Could it possibly have been only the temp gauge frying by itself in the dash ? That maybe what the burnt wire smell and smoke was? I’m confused..
Gary-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Taurus. Based on your description, the most likely cause for your experience would be heater core failure or a wiring issue. It’s possible that dust and/or debris are stuck in the vents. The fact that the vehicle is also overheating could point towards heater core failure. If the components of the heater core melt, it may allow antifreeze to leak into the vents, creating the smoke coming out of the vents. We’d recommend taking the vehicle into a certified ASE mechanic before driving any further, as it could be very dangerous driving around in this condition.
Thank you!
-BDP
17 Dodge journey it stays in between the middle of cold and hot but when you get out a heat wave just hit hits you there’s so much heat coming off the car doesn’t seem right. I had a 13 Dodge journey and I don’t ever remember it producing heat like that. any idea why so much heat would be coming off of the car but not overheating
Josh,
Thanks for your question about your 2017 Dodge Journey. When your engine is at operating temperature and the air conditioning is on there is a lot of heat being created under your hood. When the fans kick on they push all that hot air out of the back of your engine bay and under your car so it can feel very hot when you step out. The best thing to do would be to get an inferred thermometer and check the temperatures into and out of your radiator as well as at your thermostat and compare them to the temperature at which the thermostat opens and the temperature where your electric fans kick on the see if everything is working correctly.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi! I got the radiator replaced on my car not too long ago but my car still says it’s overheating when I drive it. At first when I turn it on the temperature is fine and then as I start driving to starts to overheat it’s goes past the half way mark it stays almost next to the H but never goes past. If my car idles it seems to get hotter but then I start to drive and it seems to cool down a bit. There’s no leaks and I don’t see any steam coming out from anywhere nor do I hear any sizzling or gurgling noises. I took it to my local mechanic and he hooked up the computer to it and a code read for the thermostat regulation or something like that but couldn’t really give me a straight answer as to wether or not my car was actually overheating to of the gauge just says it’s overheating. I’m scared to drive my car and I have to get to and from work somehow but he said he wouldn’t be able to look at it until next week. Any ideas? Thank you I’m advance
T. Font-
Have you tried replacing the thermostat? If the thermostat is sticking, it may not be opening up at the proper temperature, causing the temperature to rise. When taking it for a drive, the extra compression in the system may be enough to make the thermostat open up, which would explain why the temperature seems to go down when you take it for a drive. Replacing the thermostat would be a great place to start.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,
My radiator is cold after 2 and half hour drive.Is it normal or it should be hot?
Nenad-
Under most circumstances the radiator would at least be warm after running the engine for that period of time. Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
Sincerely,
-BDP
I have a 2002 mercury grand marquis temperature gauge gets hot and come back down quickly.its been happening for three months I had the intake replaced and a new thermostat but I was told that it might be the cluster.
Eric-
Thank you for asking about your Mercury Grand Marquis. Are the fans kicking on once the temp starts to rise? If the temperature gauge is jumping around rather quickly, it could be a sign of a faulty temperature sensor. If you are continuing to hear the fans kick on and off, have the sensor replaced to avoid overstressing the fans and avoid electrical issues.
Thank you!
-BDP
my 01 jetta starts blinking the low coolant light at my 10 mins after adding coolant & then when i check it’s empty. why is my coolant either being burned up or leaking out so fast? i watch when i add coolant or water at this point since it’s wasted, & don’t see any water coming out from below. it’s progressively gotten worse. at first it took a few days or more before my coolant light would come back on after refilling. now my car is overheating & im at a loss. this car isn’t in the best shape but trying to hold out til i can afford something better. please help
Allie-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen Jetta. Have you noticed any other symptoms such as smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe? Have you checked the engine oil to see if water/coolant is mixing in? If you are losing coolant that quickly, and it is not related to a loose hose connection or disconnect, there must be some evidence of where the coolant is going. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a problem with my 2015 focus ecoboost 1.0 , it gives me an error “power reduced to lower engine temperature” when I speed , a friend said the thermostat housing and spacer rad grille need to be changed . Please advise
Edwin-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Focus. Unfortunately, it may be best to have the vehicle diagnosed by a certified ASE mechanic in this case. The possibilities as to why you would be getting this error code are numerous. It could be related to the thermostat or even a temp sensor. Some forums mention that the type of fuel you use could also be a factor.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Hi i drive a opel astra 2l turbo,about 3 weeks ago we overhalled the motor,new waterpump,pistons everything its running very good.Problem is since then the temp gauge goes crazy high,and nothing is broken of clocked ect…any ideas?
Alicia-
Thank you for asking about your Opel Astra. It is possible that the thermostat itself is faulty and getting stuck closed when it’s not supposed to, causing the temperature to rise. Since everything else seems to be running as normal, replacing the thermostat should fix the issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hey i have a 2005 honda civic and my gauge marks that it is over heating when i am parked but i have already changed my radiator, thermostat, and coolant sensor my fans work
im pretty sure my engine isnt even hot most of the times this happends i even when to change my cluster and still no luck any recommendations or ideas?
Anthony-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Based on your description and the work you’ve already had done, the water pump may be the next component to look at. If the water pump is faulty, you may not be getting proper circulation in the cooling system, causing the engine to run hotter than normal. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the water pump every 90,000 miles or so. Also, having the cooling system flushed would be recommended anytime you are replacing parts/components so that you are not contaminating the system and the new parts with jellied antifreeze or other debris.
Thank you!
-BDP
thank you for the information but would a water pump cause it too seem like the engine is not actually over heating because when my gauge goes up sometimes my engine isnt hot at all not only that but if i rev it for a little the gauge goes back down to normal
Anthony-
Yes, a failed water pump seal can allow air to enter the cooling system. Air pockets in the system can act like plugs and will prevent coolant from flowing properly.
Revving the engine will put more compression in the system, perhaps helping move along an air pocket. Air pockets in the cooling system are typically the result of improperly flushing the system or not filling up the radiator completely, so a faulty water pump seal would make sense as to why air pockets are present. You can try bleeding the system to remove the excess air to see if that helps.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 Toyota Camry, that I recently had to replace the valve cover gasket one it was fried. my battery and my alternator and everything else are running fine, but my car has been running really loud lately as soon as I start it it gets better when I start to drive but one is parked it is really bad. and just recently I hear almost sizzling noise or popping noise coming from under the hood. It is running hot but not hot enough to change the temperature gauge from reading the normal temperature, I am at a loss I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’m not losing any coolant or any fluid at all everything seems fine and there is coolant in the reservoir. Can someone please help me. My AC and heat works fine as well everything else in the car. But when I start the car the lights when the outer parts of the dashboard take a little bit longer than the center of the dashboard to turn on but I’ve had the alternator checked and it’s good.
Kelsey-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Camry. If it seems like the engine is running hotter than normal but the temperature gauge isn’t indicating that it’s overheating, it could be an issue with the temp sensor being faulty. Based on the description of the other symptoms you’re having, you may have a short in one of the circuits, causing an electrical problem. It would be best to bring the vehicle to an ASE certified mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, I have an old 72 Dodge Challenger with a 440 in it. Its had overheating problems with the 3 years I’ve owned it. On hot days, it will get upto about 230 degrees and stay there (move slightly up or down). This is the same if driving on a highway or in rush hour traffic. Once, it boiled over and coolant all over the driveway, but only when I turned the car off. The fan works, as when it did this I turned the ignition back on (not starting the engine) and could hear them going. Any ideas about what could be causing it?
Andrew-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Challenger. Based on your description, the thermostat might be the first thing to look at. The thermostat could be sticking closed when it’s supposed to be open, causing an overheating problem. You may also want to check to see if there is an air pocket trapped in the system. It’s possible combustion/exhaust gases are pumping into the cooing system and causing the system to over pressurize. A block-dye test would be able to confirm if that was the case.
Thank you!
-BDP
Good day, apparently when there is a coolant leak the heat gauge on the cluster will not show that the engine is overheating, please advise how is that so.
Keith-
Are you able to identify where the coolant leak is coming from? If you are not losing coolant very quickly, it may just be that the amount of coolant in the system is enough to keep the engine running normally. If you are losing a noticeable amount of coolant, the thermostat or temperature sensor could be faulty and are not reading/registering the correct temperature.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 04 dodge ram 1500 5.7 and this problem recently started. I’ll turn it on and it’ll start fine but the coolant temperature gauge so all the way to the hot when ive never started it in the day. Ill turn it off, check the coolant and looks normal and turn it back on and it’ll go away. Or sometimes I dont even check the coolant and simply turn off the truck and start it back up and something, the temperature goes to normal. No check engine light or any other light expect for the check gauges, but thats when the temp is all the way to H. Any idea what this is?
Mark,
Thanks for your question about your 2004 Dodge Ram. Our guess would be that your temperature gauge is grounding causing it to read hot. We would recommend checking the wiring for the gauge starting at the sensor.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
My car is hot and it comes to inside, so i can’t drive for more than two hours because the set became hot. But the temperature gauge is indicate as normal.
Habtamu-
What kind if vehicle are you working on? Have you noticed any other symptoms or anything out of the ordinary? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello when I turn off my 2016 Chevy Camaro it sounds like a fan is still running but my temperature gauge shows it’s cold and my coolant is filled and clean. What could it be?
Victoria-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Camaro. Based on your description, it sounds like the issue you are having is related to a faulty temperature sensor and/or faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is stuck open, the cooling system would be running cooler than designed and would cause a low temperature reading. A faulty temp sensor could also be the culprit, as it would be responsible for triggering the fans to turn on or off.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 2009 Scion tc and I have noticed that my temperature goes up to about 3/4 but never reaches the red and then it goes back down to normal (1/2). I’m also leaking coolant from somewhere in back of motor but can’t find freon where and also my reservoir tank spits out coolant from top. I check to make sure reservoir tank is at max with fluid. What can be the problem?
Memo-
Thank you for asking about your Scion TC. Based on your description, it sounds as though you may be getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
Well my car gauge rise fast and max 90 degree only for 4 min. The car not overheat. Heater start work If I drive 10 km the heater blowing hot. No error on obdeleven. Water pump replaced, coolant sensors replaced, auxiliary water pump replaced also. Heater radiator and coolant radiator replaced also. Only radiator fan was not replaced.
F150 3.5 EB 2019. In Utah around 37 degrees today and my engine temp going up hill kept going up to 230-236 after a hill assent though it’s go back down.
Engine coolant level is good, oil is good. Fans keep going on and seem to stay on.
This is the first time this has happened and I am not towing anything. Not sure why going up hill in cold weather it’s getting to 230-236 is this ok to run at should I worry about it?
Joe-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. Although it may seem a little high, the temperature range you’ve indicated may still fall in the “normal” range. Being that the vehicle is still relatively new, we recommend checking with the dealer to be sure.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car is running hot since i install whistle exhust but doesn’t shows that is over heating because the temperage guage is not going up.sometime if it going up it stay in quarter mark/bar.if i open the bonnet engit is hot
Phumlani-
What kind of vehicle is it? Often times, a faulty thermostat and/or a faulty temp sensor would be the cause for the problem you’ve described. If the thermostat is sticking, it may not be opening up at the proper temperature. This could cause the engine to run hotter than normal but may not be indicating on the temperature gauge.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
My vw cc temperature gauge going up when I put my aircon on
I recently done some software tuning on my car for more kilowatt so after the tuning it did this
Also at high speed the temperature is going up ,but it coming back to normal when I stop speeding
Sergio-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen. The recent work you had done could be putting extra stain on the engine, especially when running the air conditioning, causing it to work harder than normal. Do you only notice the problem when the a/c is on?
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi! I have a 2012 cadillac srx and currently it is acting a bit funny. So after about 20 minutes of normal city driving my car will start to make a bit of a low humming sound ( Nothing that would concern me on its own), as it does this the thermostat starts to creep up, and then it goes back down to a normal position. Sometimes when it creeps up towards hot it only stays there for a few seconds and then back down. Sometimes it has stayed up at about 3/4 hot for a couple minutes before going back down. I have pulled over and popped the hood a couple times right after this happens and I have never had a noticeably hot engine. I should make it clear that the thermostat has never gone into the red part of hot, just a little over 3/4 hot. Also in the first 35-45 minutes of my car running only ice cold air comes out when my heat is turned on. Eventually though the air gets pretty hot when heat is turned on.
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Matt
Matt-
Thank you for asking about your Cadillac. Based on your description, the best place to start would be to check/replace the thermostat. If the thermostat is faulty, it may not be opening at the proper temperature and causing the temperature gauge to rise, and then falls back down when the thermostat opens. It would also explain not getting heat out of the vents when you put the heater on. Replacing the thermostat should solve the problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yes sir only when the the aircon is on
Than it blew hot air
Sergio-
If the engine is only running hot when the a/c is on, it could be due to a failing A/C compressor. Because you didn’t mention having an issue with the A/C, the problem is more than likely related to a flow issue in the cooling system. Are you hearing the fans kick on? If not, you could have a defective fan clutch and should get the fans replaced. A water pump that is starting to go out could also cause the engine to start running hotter if it is not circulating coolant properly.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, I have a 1996 Volkswagen golf chico 1.3l, my car overheated out of the blue about three weeks ago. I parked as soon as I noticed it was getting warmer than usual. I got instructed by a machanic my radiator switch (fan clutch) might be at fault or my thermostat. I proceeded to replace both. Now my car does not overheat to the extent it has before although the gage goes up to the usual just above halfway but the heat light flickers from time to time. I at first thought that my fan was still not working properly so I rigged it to the battery to let it constantly be on as a test. It made no apparent difference. But what I then realized after driving a about 10 km on the highway that the engine coolant intake is extremely hot while the outtake was room temperature. So that’s it I thought. The replacement thermostat is at fault. I bought one which opens at too high a temperature. Being the hoarder I am. I checked my receipts and saw that the new thermostat was infact exactly the same as the old one (80°C) my question now is: should I take out the new thermostat and confirm that the thermostat is indeed the correct 80°C, which is what it states on the box of the thermostat, and in the process ruin my very expensive performance coolant? Or should I consider other avenues like a faulty waterpump perhaps? Please advise Sir.
Christo-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen Golf. Have you noticed whether the temp gauge seems to be fluctuating at all? If not, the thermostat would most likely not be the problem. Based on your description, it does sound like the issue you are having is with coolant flow/circulation. A faulty water pump would not be pumping/circulating coolant through the system as it should, so that may be the next component to take a look at. Unfortunately, if the engine did overheat, there could be internal engine damage and the engine may need to be replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car has had new pump radiator and thermostat no leaks and my heat only works some times and every now and then thermostat shows its running kind of hot what should i do to fix this issue
Rebecca-
Does the needle on the temperature gauge seem to be fluctuating? Intermittent heat could indicate that the thermostat is faulty and not opening up to allow coolant to flow through the heater core. Were any of the symptoms you mentioned corrected with the replacement parts or were these parts replaced as a result of these symptoms and the problem persists? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
A couple days ago, I ran my AC for the first time since summer and throughout the day it was fine. I went somewhere that night and about 5 minutes into my trip the AC started blowing warm. I turn it off and looked at my thermostat and it was in the middle of 210 (where it normally is) and 260 (which is red and highest it goes). I turned off the AC quick and continued driving and it went down a little bit but inbetween 210 and Im guess 235 or so. When I got to where I was going, I idled and it went down back to normal.
Today I started driving, no AC but was keeping an eye on my thermostat and observed similar behavior with it getting to the middle of 210-260 so I pulled off and let it idle and didn’t have any issues. I made my trip which was about an hour and 20 minutes, constantly checking my thermostat and didn’t have any more spikes there or on the way back. Then tonight I went for a drive and it started creeping back up but I wasn’t running anything.
I bought a coolant tester to use tomorrow but wondering if anyone might have any other ideas why I would see this behavior. I’ve had the truck almost 3 years and never had that type of issue. I’ll sometimes go a bar or two over 210 but it’s quick to come back down.
Seth-
Based on your description, it’s possible the vehicle could have a combination of issues. An A/C compressor that is starting to fail could put extra load on the engine and cause it to start overheating. This would also explain the warm air coming out of the vents when the A/C is on, meaning the compressor is leaking refrigerant. Replacing the compressor in this instance should help return the A/C to normal functionality.
The thermostat is the least expensive component to replace, and unfortunately, the most likely part to fail or become faulty. You can test the thermostat by placing it in boiling water to make sure it is opening at the proper temperature. Even a thermostat that is sticking and then becoming unstuck could create the fluctuation in the temperature gauge reading.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have this problem
My car gauge is in normal condition but every time I notice my car is hot and sometimes I notice water dripping from the pulley side and it always affect my AC compressor…
What should I do to get this in other please
Croster-
Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
When i start my car up the termostate is already on The H saying its over heating even when its been parked for a day what could be the reason for that?
Sonya-
Have you noticed whether the vehicle is low on coolant? Is the check engine light popping up on the dashboard or any other warning indicators? If not, it’s possible the issue is with a faulty coolant temperature sensor or the thermostat itself is faulty. Try replacing the thermostat to see if that helps with the temperature gauge reading. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have 2015 traverse and its running VERY hot but the temp gauge reads normal. Car drives and idles rough although its throwing a code for the o2 sensor I believe.. Something about slow to rich something…
Kelly-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Traverse. If you’ve had the code read and it’s showing as a bad o2 sensor, the best thing to do is have the sensor replaced asap. Driving the vehicle under this condition could cause more problems and cause other components to break down prematurely.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2012 Buick Verano and I have recently gotten into an accident and the front bumper is dented in along with the grille but other wise it was running fine. The temperature started getting high as soon as I started driving but it never overheats. I got the radiator checked and the mechanic said that the radiator and the fan were fine but it still gets really hot really quickly. My coolant is at a normal level so I have no idea what could be wrong or if anything is wrong in general.
Sofia-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Verano. Did the mechanic only inspect for damage to the radiator and fan? Even if there was no evident external damage, it’s possible a hose connection was knocked loose or internal damage was incurred. If the temperature is running higher than normal, it could be a sign of things to come. We recommend bringing the vehicle in for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2014 Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 petrol and a couple of weeks ago the temperature gauge shot up to the highest it could go, 130°c. I pulled over immediately and when I looked at the coolant filler it was empty. I got water into and was able to make my way home. A friend who tinkers with cars looked at it for me and discovered I had a leak. He treated this with Rad Seal. Everything was going great until last night. When I switched the engine on, the gauge with high again and stayed there. I looked at the coolant filler and this was full. I put this down to maybe being a fluke, but this morning the gauge was all over the place, fluctuating between 90 and 130°c. There is also no heat coming on inside the car, it’s just blowing cold air. I’ve had a look under the car as well and there doesn’t seem to be any leaks. Can anyone shed any light on this before I take it to a mechanic? Thanks.
Michelle-
Thank you for asking about your Vauxhall Mokka. Based on your description, the most likely culprit is the thermostat. A faulty thermostat would explain the fluctuation in operating temperatures and also the lack of heat you are experiencing. If the thermostat is sticking, it may not be allowing for proper flow of coolant through the heater core to give you heat. You can test the thermostat yourself by placing it in boiling water and making sure it opens at the proper temperature.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a problem in my 2014 Hyundai Accent 1.4 When I check the temperature in my mobile by using OBD Scanner it shows high temperature like 108°C which is not normal, while the car is not showing that its overheating.
Let me tell you the scenarios
#1 When I driving while the A/C is on: I drove for 15 mins and I saw the temperature raising in the mobile app, it reaches 110°C so I turned off the A/C and the temperature started to fall.
#2 When I drinking while the A/C is off: the temperature raises to 100-101°C only and falls.
#3 When the car is stopped (Even when the A/C is turned on): the app shows that temperature is 96°C which is normal.
I checked the Cooling system in my car. The coolant is full and new. The fan in working properly and the thermostat too. There is no leaks. The temperature sensor working good.
Note: I cleaned my radiator before 2 months because it was rusty. Now I doubt that this problem is from the radiator and it needs to be changed. What do you think?
Hasan-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Accent and for all of the information you’ve provided. Based on your description, you may have plugged/clogged radiator condenser fins. It does not sound like the A/C compressor is failing, as it seems to not rise in temperature with the vehicle idling.
The first thing that comes to mine would be a thermostat that is failing, however, you mentioned it was working properly, so that shouldn’t be the culprit. You mentioned cleaning the radiator because of the existence of rust in the system. It’s possible that there is still rust/sediment in the radiator that is restricting flow. A radiator in this condition would be recommended to be replaced.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
My gauge is teading hot but car does not smell hot and is not steaming. Culprit?
Rebecca-
Is the vehicle losing water/coolant? How many miles are on the vehicle? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My radiator, the housing, thermostat was all changed. Everything from there was fine and now 3 weeks later my temp gauge popped up again not sure what’s going on.
Larissa-
How many miles are on the vehicle? Has the water pump ever been replaced? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2006 ford f150 after driving for 15 minutes the temperature guage goes to hot and a warning comes on. If I turn the truck off and back on the temperature guage is right is right in the middle where it’s supposed to be. The ac works it doesn’t stutter, no bubbling sounds of overheating, fan is working etc…
Paul-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. Have you noticed whether the system seems low on water/coolant? If not, the thermostat may be sticking and not opening up at the proper temperature. If the thermostat is stuck closed, it could cause the engine to start overheating. You can test the thermostat by placing it in boiling water and check to make sure it is opening up at the proper temperature.
Thank you!
-BDP
I just replaced the thermostat in my ’12 Traverse like a week ago. It was fine until today when it ran hot within 10 minutes of driving. The coolant level is fine and no leaks. Could it be a faulty thermostat or possibly a fan?
Andi-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Traverse. Even new thermostats can be faulty, so it would be a good idea to test the thermostat. You can place the thermostat in boiling water to make sure it is opening at the proper temperature. When the temperature starts to rise and the engine is running hotter than normal, the fans should kick on to prevent the engine from overheating. If you are not hearing the fans kick on, it could be the result of a thermostat that is stuck open or a faulty fan clutch.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Buick rendezvous my car drives fine but the heat don’t work and the thermostat will move up and down but once I’m idling my car goes to the H and beeps that it is overheating but it will drive fine and no smoke nothing ! I replaced the thermostat and the thermostat sensor
Stephanie-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Rendezvous. Based on your description, it sounds as though replacing the thermostat and temp sensor was a good place to start! A flow/circulation issue could definitely be the cause, as it doesn’t sound like it is losing coolant. You can try bringing the vehicle in to a shop to have the heater core back flushed. You may have something clogging/restricting the heater core, which would explain the lack of heat and the rise in temperature.
Thank you!
-BDP
2005 pontiac vibe temp gauge keeps going all the way hot but car isnt smoking or acting wierd and i already replaced the thermostat and temp censor..coolant still in overflow but radiator wont hold fluid. Im thinking its the water pump or radiator..maybe even the radiator cap or somethings just clogged and the car is jusy burning up the coolant..any suggestions
Ryan-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Vibe. Based on your description, the next thing to do would be a cooling system flush. Flushing the cooling system is apart of the routine maintenance on the vehicle and most vehicle manufacturers recommend a flush every 40,000-50,000 miles. A faulty radiator cap could also cause the vehicle to overheat without a noticeable loss of coolant and is very inexpensive to replace. If doing these two procedures doesn’t help with the overheating problem, it may be time to bring the vehicle to a mechanic for a possible water pump replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
I am using Toyota Sienna CE. The engine is making grinding sound occasionally. The temperature is okay and no water likage. The sound is also coming up during cold weather. Pls what can I do.
Agboola-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Is the grinding sound related to the engine, or is it more prevalent when turning the steering wheel in any particular direction? In a situation like this, it may be best to bring the vehicle to a certified mechanic to have the problem properly diagnosed.
Thank you!
-BDP
07 Murano gets about 2 bars from the H when on the freeway if I don’t have the heater full blast. Radiator is full. Just started a couple weeks ago. Bought a water pump but not sure if that will be the problem now.
Tyler-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Murano. Based on your description, the problem is most likely dealing with a flow/circulation problem. Depending on mileage, the vehicle could be due for a service and need a new water pump. The issue could also be related to a faulty thermostat, air pocket or a clog/restriction somewhere within the cooling system. Replacing the thermostat is relatively inexpensive and could help avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2012 chevy cruze lt with a 1.4L turbo motor and every now and then when i turned my car off i could hear the water boiling….my car normally runs about 220 degrees but now if i dont have my heat on full blast then the temperature starts getting hotter and hotter… Is there a way to find out whats wrong with it will the machine autozone has that they hook up to the car tell if its the thermostat or the water pump or exactly what it is….
Amanda-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruze. It would be difficult to identify the issue with the diagnostic machine at AutoZone, however, a certified ASE mechanic should be able to diagnose it for you. Unfortunately, hearing boiling water inside the cooling system could indicate a number of different issues. It would be best to bring the vehicle to the shop for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, thanks for the write-up! I have a 2008 1.8 Honda Civic. Recently, when I just start the car it becomes too hot, like radiated heat in my face when bonnet is open, the gauge inside slowly rises and keeps at the middle. The upper hose was very hot and lower one cold, I thought mostly its a thermostat issue so removed it. Now it doesnt radiate and is fine, both fans work while using the AC so nothing wrong with them. I tested the thermo at home in boiling water and it opened, now I am confused if what could be the issue? Coolant levels are fine no leaks, and in good shape. COuld it be that the thermostat still could have gone bad? Appreciate your help!
Aakaash-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Based on your description, it doesn’t seem like anything is out of the ordinary. Continue to monitor the vehicle for leaks. The upper and lower radiator hoses should be different temperatures, as one is transporting hot coolant from the engine and the other is transporting “cooled” coolant to the engine. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Are standard temperature gages in cars able to show when your car is overheating from having no oil?I remember hearing once that it wouldn’t show
Craig-
If the engine was overheating, it should register on the temperature gauge, regardless of the cause. Typically, a low oil/add oil indicator would pop up on the dashboard to alert you.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2010 Kia Rondo, the check engine light came on (solid) and I had to drive 50km home. The radiator hose was hot, but the temperature gage was at the normal place and did not move showing it was overheating. It did seem like I did not have as much power for one second but drove like normal after.. any ideas what could be wrong? I live two hours from a mechanic and I’m worried about doing more damage by driving it
Natasha-
Thank you for asking about your Kia Rondo. Based on your description, it may be worth bringing it to the shop to have it diagnosed by a certified ASE mechanic. It doesn’t sound like you have any of the symptoms of a leak, and being that the needle on the temperature gauge didn’t rise, it should be safe to drive. You will, however, want to have the code read to see why the light came on in the first place.
Thank you!
-BDP
2013 dodge avenger running 3/4 on gauge no leaks fluid good any ideas?
Carol-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Avenger. If the temp is reading a little higher than normal, with no visible leaks, the radiator cap and thermostat would be the best places to start. They are the least expensive parts to replace and do typically go bad from time to time. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle in for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Cadillac CTS. It started overheating on me and had lost a lot of coolant so I refilled the reservoir back up and let it run and drove it for about 2 hours..everything seemed fine but then it made a squeezing noise and I pulled over and checked the heat, it doesn’t get hot and the temp gauge was still in the middle, no sign of overheating but under the hood everything is very very hot to touch, way hotter than normal but again the temperature gauge says it’s normal and then I checked and it had no more antifreeze and it was leaking out on the ground and seemed to have blew up to the top front of the hood as well because there was coolant on top of my power steering tank. The leak seems to be coming from the bottom of the car onto the ground tho. What could this be? I’m not sure where to start. Thanks!
KD
Katie-
Thank you for asking about your Cadillac CTS. Based on your description, it would be best to have the vehicle brought to a certified ASE mechanic immediately for inspection. It seems you would want to identify why it overheated and lost so much coolant in the first place. Something as simple as a faulty thermostat could lead to catastrophic engine damage.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2000 Honda Civic, and the temp gauge started jumping up to hot when starting, even after the car had sat all night. A mechanic said it was the coolant temp sensor and replaced it. But a week later I was having the same problems again. Usually restarting the car would fix the problem and the needle would drop back down to normal. Sometimes I could go a week without the problem happening again and sometimes it happens again in just a few minutes. I’m not sure what I should do next. I was thinking about replacing the thermostat and doing a coolant flush but I’m not sure if that will help. I’m definitely leaking coolant somewhere, I’ve been having to refill the reservoir lately.
Lizzie-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Was it leaking coolant before the temp sensor was replaced? Have you been able to identify where the leak is coming from? If not, it would be best to bring the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic for proper inspection. Flushing the cooling system and replacing the thermostat could help, but it would be more important to determine where the leak is coming from and go from there.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2016 Chevy traverse that seems to heat up to 230-240 . When I checked the engine I felt hotter air than normal coming from the radiator. The radiator fluid was good . I decided to change the thermostat. Now it seems like the temp only goes up a little past 220. My biggest concern to this is when I did the replacement on the thermostat the radiator only took half of what was recommended on coolant. I do need advice on this thank you
Marty-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Traverse. Did you drain the system completely or did you just drain the radiator? Keep in mind, coolant would still be in the block and elsewhere in the cooling system if you were only draining the radiator. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
Vw golf plus 2006m cooling temp stuck at 90deg even when starting at morning. Temp sensor changed, nothing changed. Radiator fan always working. Where can i find problem?
Mindaugas-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen Golf. 90 degrees Celsius/194 degrees Fahrenheit would fall within the normal operating temperature range. Have you noticed any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Question- sorry about length
I have a 2011 Dodge Journey Main Street AWD, it drove perfectly, never went over the middle on the temperature gauge up until one day it randomly overheated, causing one of my heads to warp. We had my engine rebuilt, and had the radiator, thermostat, and the oil cooler replaced, as well as a valve job. Well when we got it back from the shop, I noticed it was misfiring (jerking back and forth really hard, usually at idle), soon after I noticed that, my check engine light came on, and when I had it read it was for a multiple cylinder misfire. I brought it back to the shop and they had to send off because it was caused by a faulty valve job. After I got my car back the temperature gauge goes up 1-2 bars from the red Hot line, but the shop keeps assuring me that it’s normal. The part that is getting me, is that I’ve noticed that when the temperature gauge goes up that high, the temperature outside (where your car tells you the temperature outside) goes up really high too. For example, one day when I got into my car, it said it was 89 degrees outside, I drove for 10 minutes, my car’s temperature gauge went up to the white line underneath the red Hot line, the outside temperature said it was 121 degrees outside.
Sorry for the long, probably a little confusing post, I’m just trying to find out if this is normal or if I should be concerned- especially considering we spend a little over $7,000 for the repairs. Thanks!
Gracie-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Journey. Based on your description, it does not seem normal that the needle on the temp gauge would go that close to overheating, especially after all the work that was done. It’s possible that the coolant temp sensor is faulty or the thermostat itself isn’t functioning properly. We’d recommend bringing the vehicle to another shop for a second opinion. Having the vehicle properly diagnoses should point you in the right direction.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a question. My car gets above 90 degrees on the highway, on the other roads is stays around that number. When parked the temperature goes down quite quickly. Which would mean the radiator works right? Could someone tell me what would be the next thing I should check? There are no coolant leaks
Melvin-
Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi there, I have a Toyota altezza. My car has had heaps of work done on it recent but it’s still got problems. The heat gauges say that the car isn’t overheating but after I’ve been driving it for 20 or so minutes my car engine light comes on shits down the whole car. when I open up the bonnet it feels hotter than it should. The last week I have put coolant in every time I go to drive it which makes me think I have a leak? I’ve been told I do have a crack at the top of my radiator.
Lacey-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Altezza. Based on your description, it’s possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
So maybe someone here can help with this. My temperature gauge keeps going ALL THE WAY high to the red marker. When I’m driving, if I stop at a red light sometimes the gauge will read that the car is overheating but when I press the gas it’ll come back down to normal. Sometimes when I’m driving it’ll go up and down periodically. The coolant levels are good and the radiator fans seem to be working properly. Today I decided to try something. I drove my car around for a while and when I came to a stop I noticed that the gauge showed the car was overheating again. I parked, got out of my car and placed my hand on the hood, it was cold. I opened the hood placed my hand on the engine cover, not cold at all not hot at all. Removed the engine cover and touched the engine, not cold at all not hot all. Gauge still read high temp(like literally all the way to the top). When I started driving it went back down again. The car is a 2008 Mazda 6 btw if that helps.
DJ-
Thank you for asking about your Mazda. Based on your description, it seems likely that you are having a flow issue. If you are not noticing a loss of water/coolant and are hearing the fans kick on at the appropriate time, coolant not circulating properly would be the best explanation. If you have not done so already, flushing the cooling system would be some good routine maintenance that could help solve the problem. Jellied antifreeze, dirt, debris could be restricting circulation to the point where it could rapidly overheat the engine and cause damage to it.
Another possibility is that there may be a tiny intrusion somewhere in the system that is allowing air to get in, which is creating air pockets. Air pockets can also restrict circulation and cause intermediate overheating problems. Try bleeding the system to remove any excess air. If the problem persists, pressure testing the cooling system may be your next step.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have an 04 matrix the car gets close to the h about a mile after i start driving then goes down to normal running temp and doesnt go back up i only have thenissue from a cold start there is no smoke from the engine or exhaust. No visible leaks theres is no coolant in the oil. It only happens a few minutes after i start driving then its fine. What could be thr cause ?
Steve-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Matrix. It would be difficult to say what the cause is, however, the first thing that comes to mind would be the thermostat sticking and then unsticking. The thermostat is one of the least expensive and easiest components to replace, so it would be a good place to start.
Thank you!
-BDP
2003 chrysler sebring sedan 2.7 litre v6 engine bay is hot but temp gauge reads normal. fans work ,, new temp sensor new relays ,new bleeder housing , no lights or codes
Hiya,
I have a Toyota hiace regius
My gauge over heats when I am driving long distance but when I stop at the lights or take my foot off the accelerator it starts to come back down to the middle.
I have changed the thermostat and there are no leaks
Can anyone suggest what other problems it could be
Nelz-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota. Have you noticed any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi , please i need a help i have lexus is 200t 2017 its accident car i bought in auction i repaired everything and i am driving from months my car Temperature Guage is bit high then middle but its there not going more up , i am driving every day and going like 170 km in 3 days but the temperature guage is there not going up its little bit up then middle I don’t know what to check and what to repair because you know it cost a lot if i try one thing then other thing so i just want to change a direct part which need to change so can you please help me
Essa-
We’d recommend replacing the thermostat to see if that helps correct the issue. Based on your description, if the only issue is the temperature gauge is just a little higher than normal, and you are not getting any codes or warning lights on the dash to indicate a problem, this may be normal for the vehicle.
Thank you!
-BDP
2007 acadia, just got back from vacation and car has been idle for 14 days. Turn car on and indicates a problem with the charging system. Replaced the battery and it still indicates charging system problem. Now it is a 90 degree day, drove it for about 20 minutes with charging system problem and was blowing white smoke, smelled lie asphalt but more phosphorous than not. At this point alerts for traction control started to beep relentlessly. Checked coolant an while not full it still had some in the reserve. Could the the charging system error be a reason for the smoke? An electrical thing? Since I have never before seen a charging system issue.
Joe-
Thank you for asking about your Acadia. Based on your description, it’s possible that coolant is leaking out onto electrical components and causing the smoke and errors. This could be a serious problem, so it would be worth having the vehicle inspected by an ASE certified mechanic immediately.
Thank you!
-BDP
After car running for about 15 minutes. A/C blows warm, car overheats and fan stops. Any ideas?
Crystal-
This could be due to an issue with the thermostat. A faulty thermostat would explain all of the symptoms you’ve described, and is typically fairly easy to replace. If replacing the thermostat doesn’t help, we’d recommend bringing the vehicle to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Van has been running with fluctuating temperatures lately ranging from the upper norm of 220F to about 234F with the AC on. It usually rises in inner city and restaurant drive-thru while staying completely in the norm on the highway. Today though there was an accident on the interstate and I was stuck in near stand-still traffic for a bit. I started seeing intermittent white smoke coming from under the hood and the temp was hovering nearer to 240F. People were nice enough to let me get to the interchange and got on a different route thinking I would need to pull over some place safe, Once I was out of traffic it completely stopped. This evening I had to wait a little extra longer in a drive-thru and by the time I left it smoked again a little bit. I’m leaning towards a faulty thermostat but I can’t escape that sinking feeling it might be a head gasket (because it’s been that sort of year).
Brent-
It sounds as though there could be some kind of restriction in the cooling system that isn’t allowing for proper circulation when the vehicle is sitting for extended periods of time. This probably wouldn’t be related to the thermostat, as the same thing would most likely be happening while driving the vehicle at highway speeds. Depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle, it could be a sign that the water pump is starting to go out and may be in need of replacement. Flushing the cooling system and refilling with proper 50/50 mix would be the best place to start. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle in to the shop for inspection.
Thank you!
-BDP
Is there a way to read your oil temp and coolant temp if your dashboard cluster doesn’t work? My battery light and airbag light work on cluster, but nothing else.
Trying to find out if my truck is running hot without replacing dash cluster.
Nick-
You could use an infrared thermometer to read the coolant temp as the car idles. This may be your best option without the readings popping up on the dashboard.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2013 300c 5.7
Coolant temps get to about 233 F during normal driving and higher if putting it down but doesn’t overheat. Car begins to cool down a little when idling. No leaks no smells, cooling fans work fine, ac/heat works fine as well. Could the thermostat be stuck closed ?
Troy-
It’s possible the thermostat is sticking and getting stuck closed, causing the temperature to start to rise, and then unsticks when in idle. Without any other symptoms or leaks, this would be the most common explanation. Replacing the thermostat sounds like it would be the best place to start to care of this issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, my car BMW 320 twin turbo. The gauge is reading high immediately I start the engine,in the morning. The radiator fan also start to run immediately, the top flow pipe is hot after driving some distance but the return water pipe (to engine) is cold.
Azariel-
Thank you for asking about your BMW. Based on your description, it sounds like you may be experiencing a flow/circulation issue. Have you checked to make sure the thermostat is working properly? Has the water pump been replaced recently? If not, it may be worth brining the vehicle to your local mechanic for service.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2011 grand cherokee works normal while being sttoped with engine on. Then, maybe 45 minutes driving, temperature gauge rise until last hot level, but temperature is relatively normal (241).
Ramon-
Thank you for asking about your Grand Cherokee. Have you noticed any other symtpoms? If you are not noticing a loss of water/coolant and aren’t experiencing any other symptoms, the best place to start would be to check that the thermostat is functioning properly. It’s possible that the thermostat is getting stuck in the closed position and is causing the temperature to rise. If the problem persists after checking/replacing the thermostat, we’d recommend performing a cooling system flush and then follow procedures for bleeding/bupring the system.
Thank you!
-BDP
my friend claims his car may be having barely noticeable performance issues, he claims a malfunction code describing a “failure in bank 2 of medium significance”. his vehicle heats up fairly quickly can over heat if driven more than around town and stays hot to the touch even almost anywhere in his engine bay I have a feeling the culprit is something far less obvious given his claims of replacing all o2 sensors, no discolored smoke or some of any kind present, lack of weird smells, lack of visual leaks and arguably no performance issues. were both chasing gosts