HELP! Overheating Problem Today
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Junior User
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HELP! Overheating Problem Today
On my way to work after about 20 miles or so my heat still wouldn't come on and I started to smell coolant. I'm not sure how much coolant was in radiator to begin with. Was this stuck thermostat or frozen water in radiator.? Also I hope I didn't damage my engine! It was very hot when I made it to work. Should I replace thermostat and new coolant? I just hope it cranks!
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
i would check the strength of your coolant if you even *think* that there is a chance it is weak.
was it colder than normal out this morning?
have you been fighting a leak for a while and lost track of how many times you've filld with water vs. how many times with antifreeze?
If the antifreeze strength checks out, i'd start looking toward the t-stat.
was it colder than normal out this morning?
have you been fighting a leak for a while and lost track of how many times you've filld with water vs. how many times with antifreeze?
If the antifreeze strength checks out, i'd start looking toward the t-stat.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Raphine, Virginia
Being in Alabama you probably don't get overly concerned with anti-freeze. I agree, start by checking that. If too weak and colder weather, it's possible it iced up including the heater core restricting flow. If overheating didn't do any damage, you are probably ok. Doubt it got cold enough to freeze solid. Good luck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Northeast LA
Do you have a aftermarket gauge on the water temp to know what the actual temp was, or were you going by the factory gauge? Did you just smell it or was the radiator boiling over and leaking all over the ground? I'd say go check the level in the radiator when you get a chance while you're at work (on lunch or something) to see if you can even see any water/coolant in there.
Also when was the last time you replaced the radiator cap that never hurts to replace that too.
Was it running fine the past two months since you replaced the thermostat?
Also when was the last time you replaced the radiator cap that never hurts to replace that too.
Was it running fine the past two months since you replaced the thermostat?
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Gauge does not work. First I started smelling coolant/water burning smell. By the time I got to work an popped hood steam was boiling out of the top of radiator spraying water/steam. Heater still wouldn't work. It has been running fine since I replaced the thermo last time. Still not sure what happened. Gonna pull thermostat off when I get off.
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Junior User
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Well turns out it was the thermostat. No damage to engine as far as u could tell. Piece of crap aftermarket thermostat! Products should be made better!!! Thanks for the info
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No pics. All I have is this I-phone. Not sure if I can upload from it. The way I diagnosed this was to simply pull the water outlet off. Remove Thermostat, I filled the radiator back up and drove. No overheating. I tried the thermostat in boiling water and it would not work. Also I fixed my sending unit today to at least have a gauge to go by.
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