Q: Temperature in car stays cold

asked by on October 05, 2016

I have had my car overheat and then at times not show it's hot at all. I have changed the thermostat 3 times in the past 2 years and feel it's something more. Heater has a wired smell and leaves fog on the windows

My car has 85600 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

Need a diagnosis.
I would ask for help from one of the mechanics at YourMechanic. They have the experience and equipment to diagnose exactly why your vehicle will not start (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection).
Interior electronics don't work
It sounds as though the electrical part of the ignition switch is loosing contact internally; this will need to be verified, and the switch will possibly need to be replaced. I recommend you have a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic,...
Truck making a clunking noise
There are several possibilities that could create the noise you are experiencing. The most common is the sway bar end links followed by ball joints. I would have a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your home...
When the car is about to just fully stop it makes a squeaking noise to what seems to be in the rear breaks
Hello. This is likely the result of the brake pads wearing down to the "wear mark" which a certain thickness on the brake pads designed to alert when it is times to consider replacing the brake pads. This is not...
Misfire under acceleration
First I would revisit the plugs and coils. there is always the possibility that something didn't hook up properly. Pay close attention to the ground wires. They are the brown wires that emerge from the harness at seeming random places...
Drive belt keeps popping off
The first thing to check is whether all of the pulleys are in the same plane. Imagine a flat surface applied up against the pulley edges. Do all pulleys touch the flat surface? If a pulley, for instance, on the...
Can I drive with just one lug nut loose on one tire? The nut is stripped so I cannot take it off. But 3 out of 4 nuts are on tight
Hi there. I've seen many vehicles on the road with a lug nut missing and it does seem to work. However, what these people are unaware of is that improper/uneven wheel nut torque is a major cause of brake vibrations....
car is overheating and leaking water and anti freeze
Coolant leaks can occur because of cracked hoses (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-hose-replacement), leaking gaskets, faulty water pumps (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement), or damaged radiators (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-replacement). When the coolant level goes low, the engine will start to overheat due to the low coolant level. I would first...
Engine Knock only during start up and acceluration, some oil found in spark plug well also. possible rod knock
Hi there: If you've found oil in the spark plug well is a sign of a fairly serious problem that should be inspected and repaired immediately. It is almost always due to a failing gasket or O-ring but can also...

Related articles

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mazda 2
For For those of you who really just want a car for the sake of transportation—and not towing or for a job where you need to transport tools—you might want to consider the 2012 Mazda 2. This car may not...
2012 Jeep Patriot vs. 2012 Honda CR-V: Which One Should I Buy?
The mid-size SUV is a great vehicle for getting a lot of people from one place to another, with a decent price point and pretty good ongoing fuel economy. While they are never going to get the amazing gas mileage...
Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
Drivers Drivers who are in the market for a used Chevrolet vehicle may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on...