☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: Car is overheating

asked by on October 26, 2016

I was driving to work and the car overheated, opening the hood, it was steaming and coolant was spraying out of a hose near the alternator. The fan also doesn't seem to be turning on. What's the best course of action?

My car has 180000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Recommended Services

Radiator Hose Replacement $173.09 - $817.82 Get a Quote
Thermostat Replacement $157.20 - $759.78 Get a Quote
Cooling/Radiator Fan Motor Replacement $135.68 - $1518.55 Get a Quote
Electrical components are not working Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hi there. From the description you have provided, there are several things to address concerning your vehicle overheating. Given the location described, it could be, the bypass hose that blew. This could be the result of hose degradation, which would mean all the cooling system hoses need to be inspected. It could also be, the result of a stuck thermostat. The thermostat should be replaced, as it may have been damaged by the engine overheating. The inoperative cooling fan may have also caused the bypass hose failure. It could be, a cooling fan fuse, cooling fan relay, cooling fan temperature sensor causing the inoperative radiator cooling fan. I recommend your vehicle’s overheated engine be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic

Buick
V6-3.8L
2000
leaks
LeSabre
coolant
overheating
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Possible problem with my fuel pump or fuel filter.
What makes you think it is a fuel problem. I would need more information before I can help you diagnose the problem. The proper way to check for fuel issues is to put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel...
Read more
How do I adjust the rearview mirror?
Every time you drive, you should adjust the rearview mirror. The rearview mirror is an important safety feature that allows you to see what vehicles are behind you. To adjust the rearview mirror, use your hand to change the angle...
Read more
Car is slow to start and then stalls.
The problem will need to be checked (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-start-inspection) to see if you are loosing ignition or fuel to your engine since the most common problems are the fuel pump, engine module and distributor going bad on these engines.
Read more
Car jerking upon acceleration, sluggish engine
You will need to have the ignition and fuel systems checked. The fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) and filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-filter-replacement) should be checked for correct pressure and flow due to clogged filter or pump pressure. The ignition should be checked to see...
Read more
My car wont start
Hello. If the engine will crank and not start then we would need to see if it is lacking spark, fuel, or compression. If it does not have a spark then the ignition system needs to be diagnosed. If it...
Read more
What will make a battery drain quickly? It doesn't happen every day but it happens 2-3 days a week.
i would suggest checking the voltage regulator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/instrument-voltage-regulator-replacement). This is a unit that regulates the charging of the battery by the alternator, making sure that the battery receives the correct amount of amperage when charging. When this is not working...
Read more
Why is my ABS warning light on?
Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this information constantly to the ABS and traction control system which are controlled by the car's ECU. When the ECU...
Read more
Cuts off while in idle postion
It sounds like you may have a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds...
Read more
Installed mew battery in 06 trailblazer now it wont start it cranks but wont start
This may be related to many different possibilities, some of which may be related to a lack of spark or possibly timing issues and some of which may be related to a fuel delivery problem or a combination of both....
Read more

Related articles

How Serious Is It When a Hose Is Leaking?
A leaking hose in your car could indicate different problems. Some leaking hoses are more serious than others, but all should be checked and repaired.
Read more
What Causes Hoses to Leak?
While While the largest part of your engine is mechanical, hydraulics plays a significant role. You’ll find fluids at work in a number of different areas. Your car's fluids include: Engine oil Transmission fluid Coolant Power steering fluid Brake fluid...
Read more
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Canister Purge Solenoid
Common signs of a problem with a car EVAP canister purge solenoid include rough idle, difficulty starting, and the Check Engine Light turning on.
Read more

Browse other content

Cars
Services
Maintenance
Estimates