Q: just noticed that it is overheating--no water dripping and the temperature gauge is normal. Not sure if it is the thermostat.

asked by on November 15, 2016

I can smell that it is overheating now. I recently noticed the coolant level was a little low so I added to it to the fill line I thought. But it still smelled like it was overheated a bit but no real evidence of it. Now I can visibly see the smoke coming out of the engine but no liquid pouring down. The temperature gauge was still at normal.

My car has 120000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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

How do you get maximum performance from the max A/C setting?
Your vehicle has both a normal A/C setting and a max A/C setting. While the normal setting should keep the interior of your car comfortable on hot days at highway speeds, you may want to use the max A/C setting...
Car dies when gas pedal pressed
Your symptoms have many potential causes. When you press the accelerator, the engine is under load and sucking in more air. The engine control module (ECM) should respond by providing the engine with more fuel. If the vehicle hesitates or...
Malfunction indicator light stays on, remote start issue
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 11998 Chrysler Aspen. If the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp), also known as the Check Engine Light, is coming on, then there is a hard fault in the engine computer. This fault will need...
Car won't start spraid starter fluid in intake car turnd on but then shut of on self
Due to your symptoms, I would recommend having the fuel pressure tested by a qualified mechanic. The fuel pressure specification is set by the manufacturer and if the fuel pressure of your vehicle is lower than what was specified, the...
Heater is not warm enough
Hi, thanks for writing in. The temperature of your heater is going to depend on the circulation of the coolant, temperature of the engine, and the associated parts working correctly. The blend door actuators, level of coolant in the system,...
Just replaced spark plugs and wires in my car and now it sputters at an idle in park.
Hello and thank you for your question. To check the spark plugs, simply remove one spark plug at a time and place it on the ground somewhere away from the engine's belts and away from the spark plug hole. Start...
The brake pedal is low and hard to press, and my car does not brake well
It sounds like the brake booster (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-booster-vacuum-sensor-replacement) is failing. The hissing sound you heard was air leaking through either a vacuum or vent valve in the brake booster itself. The valve failure prevents the booster from generating brake boost, making...
Why does my vehicle go into reduce engine power mode. 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
Hello. I would need to know what code you are getting to know what needs to be done to take care of this. If you are getting a MAF code then the sensor may be failing, but that will not...
Black Dash with no Crank on 2004 Honda Civic
Hi there. It is quite possible that your ignition lock cylinder has a mechanical glitch that is creating a massive electrical short once it's activated to the third ignition switch. In most cases, the best way to resolve this problem...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Undercover Cop
If If you're an undercover cop, when you choose a used vehicle, your main purpose is to look like anything but a cop. That means, of course, that an unmarked Crown Victoria is probably not the wisest choice. We’ve evaluated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Painter
If If you’re a painter, and you work for someone else, chances are you don’t care all that much about what you drive, as long as it gets you to and from work reliably. On the other hand, if you...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...