Q: Overheating and struggling to start
My car keeps overheating and is struggling to start.
Recommended Services
| Car is overheating Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
| Car is hard to start Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello. If your engine is overheating and you are having trouble starting it then you more than likely have a failing head gasket. When it fails the engine will overheat and it will also allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber when the car is turned off. When this happens it makes it hard for the starter to crank the engine. I typically start with a block test to see if the head gasket is failing. If can also occur if the water pump is seizing, but that is not as common. If you need to have the vehicle looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your car’s overheating problem and starting issue.
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
What others are asking
How do I clean the seat belts in a 2012 Honda CR-V?
If your seat belts get dirty, you can clean them very easily. However, you should never use a cleaning solvent or bleach on the seat belt. Instead, wash carefully with warm water and a mild soap.
Loss of antifreeze at air intake
A common failure in your engine is the intake manifold and intake plenum gaskets. When this happens coolant will leak under where the throttle body is located. I would recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect...
The steering wheel jerks to both sides
Hello. The front end needs to be checked first for any loose parts. Any worn out joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ball-joint-front) or bushings (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-bad-or-failing-stabilizer-bar-bushings) will cause this. If those are all fine, then the problem is usually in the rack and pinion (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-steering-column)...
water is leaking from my radiator. I have to put antifreeze every other day. I put stop leak but it did not work and my A/C stopped working
If you are losing coolant from your radiator, the radiator will need to be replaced in order to stop the leak. When your coolant level drops past a certain point, the air conditioning will no longer work because the engine...
Engine Fail Safe Program
Hi there. There are a few possible issues that can cause this. The most common cause is low voltage in the electrical system. This is due to a failing alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/alternator-replacement) or a failing battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement). It can also be...
My car vibrates when it's in gear, even at idle. There is less vibration in park or neutral.
Hi there. This type of vibration in my history has usually been the result of a weak, split, or broken engine mount (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement) or metal fatigue in the body. A visual inspection of the engine mounts can be a quick...
My Boat motor repair issue
Hi there. Unfortunately, we do not provide services or repair advice for off-road vehicles or mechanical components. You might be better served to contact a powersports or off-shore mechanical repair shop.
S10 2.8 to 3.4 engine swap. Crank but no start.
Hi there. Check the spark plugs and make sure that they are creating enough spark to allow the fuel to burn. If there is great spark and the engine acts like it does not want to start, then there could...
I have a 2016 qx60 the heat want go off none of the buttons work on the climate control and the radio or navigation screen don't
You can check the basics like fuses. The fuse panel diagram and location should be in the owner's manual. However, Infiniti's basic warranty for your vehicle is 4 years or 60,000 miles - whichever comes first. By that, your vehicle...
Related articles
How Can Moisture Get Into an Ignition System?
All All ignition systems use electricity to crank and run the engine. This is true whether you have a conventional, electronic, or distributor-less ignition system. Water is the enemy of electricity and if it intrudes into the ignition system, it...
5 Essential Things to Know About Roadside Emergency Kits
Whether Whether it’s summer or winter, spring or fall – you should always have certain items available in your vehicle’s roadside emergency kit. Dead batteries, flat tires, and overheated engines can occur at any time. While most people have a...
How to Diagnose a Cooling System Problem
You may be driving down the road or sitting at a stop light when you first notice the temperature gauge in your...
Browse other content
Services
Estimates