Q: Car overheated and leaked fluid, topped off and now is fine. Was this just a fluke?

asked by on November 26, 2016

Car overheated and leaked all the antifreeze. Topped off the fluid the next day and is now running fine. Was this just a fluke or is there a bigger underling problem. Checked all hoses and they're good. Also felt the water running through the hoses so the pump works. Maybe the thermostat is going faulty?

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

Vehicle has a coolant leak
Hi there. Your coolant can be leaking from a number of places. If it is leaking fast enough, it will cause the engine to overheat. The source of the leak needs to be found and repaired. Check to see if...
engine will not start now, after repairs first to the transmission, then alternator and new battery and last, a new fuel pump
If all the other problems started to happen after the transmission was removed and rebuilt, I would suspect that a wire harness has not been connected good or got pinned between the engine and transmission. I would also look for...
Is the pcv supposed to fit loose on the valve cover? And how do you remove the pcv itself?
The PCV on this engine has a lock tab and unscrews from the valve cover. The tab may break when you try and remove it so make sure you have the correct one before you try and remove the old...
Soft breaks
When you say (and now my brakes are still soft) this means you had soft brakes before and after the master cylinder was replaced. If you have soft brakes, it is caused by air in the brakes, problems with flexible...
when traveling a long distance my car will not accelerate over 60 my old Nissan did this as well. Is this a known issue?
Hello. Your particular model of Altima is equipped with a CVT transmission that will automatically put itself in a safe mode if the transmission fluid level (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) reaches too high of a temperature. If the fluid temperature climbs too high,...
Clunking when shifting - 2001 Jeep Cherokee
The "clunk" indicates there is a loose coupling somewhere is the driveline. As you diagnosed, u-joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/universal-joint-u-joint-replacement) and the differential are the most likely fault points, but this could also be harsh engagement of the transmission due to worn clutches,...
2012 Jaguar XJ 5 liter non supercharged engine oil and battery
Hi there. When you replace the battery, it is best to put a battery saver tool in the cigarette lighter to keep the computer memory. If you do not have a battery saver, then the computer will loose its memory...
When I start my 2012 Honda Accord gas just pours out and it looks like it's coming from the square box looking thing on the driver
Hello, thank you for writing in. There are several components in the fuel system that will only be pressurized when the vehicle is running. The best way to find the leak is with a visual inspection. From there you can...
Check engine on knocking engine milky cap but not in oil change loud knocking noise while driving and cold start up
Coolant leaks can be external or internal. If the coolant is leaking internally into the cylinders or crankcase, that will require a fairly significant repair. If the coolant is leaking externally, unless the leak is at the head gasket or...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Bleed Housing Assembly
Common signs include coolant leaks, overheating, and a damaged bleeder valve.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Low Water Sensor
If your car has low coolant without a warning, the Coolant Light comes on for no reason, or the car is overheating, replace the low water sensor.
The Best Tool to Find Coolant Leaks
Diagnosing a car issue can be a tricky without proper tools. A coolant pressure tester is useful for diagnosing overheating issues and coolant leaks.