Q: Car overheating

asked by on July 19, 2016

the car overheats and the pressure of the coolant or water bursts out of the coolant tank until empty. i replaced my water pump and radiator in 2014 and a few days ago replaced my thermostat and cap I was told it could be head gasket but it doesn't have any white or any color smoke coming from exhaust only from the water or coolant bubbling out of the coolant tank

My car has 203000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

You still could have a blown head gasket. Sometimes the compression blows into the radiator. A mechanic can check to see if pressure is pushed into the radiator from the engine having a blown head gasket or a cracked head. The engine overheated for a reason and the fans should be checked to see if they are working, or the engine will keep overheating after the repairs are made. If you need help with this, a mobile technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose your overheating issue and pinpoint what repairs are necessary.

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

Engine grinds something in the cold
Any abnormal noise coming from a car always gives me an uneasy feeling, so I can understand the concern here. In fact, this is an issue I am quite familiar with. Our first step would begin with checking the level...
How do I properly maintain the sunroof?
Over time, the sunroof can collect dirt in the seal, which can keep the sunroof from operating correctly. It’s a smart idea to periodically maintain the sunroof to keep this from happening. To do o, open the sunroof, and remove...
Gas tank seal from the filler neck hose.
The nozzle I believe your are mentioning is the anti-siphon and roll-over check valve. It does not require a perfect seal to the tank. The rubber filler hose slides over it, sealing in fuel vapors. I hope this helps. Put...
Leaking pink water fluid towards the front left side of the car.
It sounds like you may have damaged the radiator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-replacement). Some coolant is colored green and some is colored reddish-orange, depending on the coolant used. A certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to conduct a few tests...
Oil leak around serpentine belt pulleys
Hi, thanks for writing in. The most likely cause of your oil leak is due to the valve cover gasket leaking, causing oil to get on the belts. There also could be oil leaking from the oil filter housing as...
I have a loss of power when acceleration the car does not drive pass 10 or 15mph I change the plugs and also change the fuel filte
This may be result of a failing or dirty mass airflow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement). This is a unit that is responsible for regulating the air flow into the engine as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the...
What are the uses of the ABS module?
Hello. Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-speed-sensor-replacement) 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...
When should I change the engine oil? What is the best oil type for winter and summer?
The engine oil used for summer is typically thicker. Thinner oil in the winter allows it to warm up quicker and lubricate sooner. Thicker oil will take longer to warm up and perform its duties. Your vehicle may only want...
The heater doesn't work, defrost works a little, fan doesn't turn on?
Hi there. The blower fan switch not working may be, a blown blower motor fuse (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuse-replacement), a faulty blower motor relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/blower-motor-relay-replacement), a faulty blower resistor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-blower-motor-resistor-replacement), a faulty blower motor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-blower-motor-replacement), and/or a faulty blower motor switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/blower-motor-switch-replacement). Proper...

Related articles

2012 Toyota Highlander vs. 2012 Dodge Durango: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are a fun class of vehicle: not only are they great for carpools and moving around friends and family, but you can also get them off-road and just get dirty and have fun with them. These...
How Long Does an Air Bleed Housing Assembly Last?
The The air bleed housing assembly is located near the rear of your car’s engine. It is part of the cooling system, and consists of a small housing that has an attached bleeder valve. It only comes into play after...
How to Replace a Radiator Hose
The The radiator hose is an important part of your vehicle’s cooling system. The hose carries the coolant to the radiator, where the fluid is cooled, then back to the engine to keep the vehicle from overheating. This allows your...