Q: Car overheating

asked by on February 11, 2016

My car is running hot.

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The first thing you need to look at is coolant level. If the level is low, you have a leak. The system cannot operate properly without the proper amount of coolant to circulate. Look for obvious signs of leaks, if a leak can’t be spotted, you may have to pressure test the system. This is done with a special hand pump that fits onto the coolant reservoir or radiator and pushes air into the system to see if leaks present themselves under pressure. If no leaks can be found, the problem may be the thermostat, radiator, or cooling fans. Worse case scenario would be cylinder head gasket failure, but thats isn’t a likely scenario. I suggest having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, complete a pressure test, then move on to circulation issues. They will be able to diagnose your car’s overheating issue.

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