Q: When I am in park my car starts to over heat but as soon as I take it out of park it starts to cool? When this happens it also ma

asked by on March 29, 2018

My car when in park starts to over heat but as soon as I put it in drive the temp goes down. When it starts it over hear it also make a noise . I even turn my car off to cool it down to see if that's the issue. I have checked my liquids and everything. Someone said it might be the fan . Help please

My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Thermostat Replacement $157.20 - $759.78 Get a Quote
Car is overheating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

If the engine temperature drops once you are moving that is due to increased air flow through the radiator and also the speed, and hence output, of the water pump increases with engine speed which also tends to reduce coolant temperature. As you have noted, non functioning cooling fan(s) at idle could be a cause of overheating. However, there are additional possibilities that need to be ruled out and there are sometimes multiple, coincident causes of overheating. If the car is overheating do not drive the car because overheating can warp the cylinder head and/or engine block causing costly damage. Apart from non functioning cooling fans, other common causes of overheating include low coolant level (including that due to leaks), a faulty thermostat, a plugged radiator, a faulty radiator pressure cap, collapsed hoses, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket, poor engine running condition or exhaust blockages can also cause overheating. An important thing to keep in mind is once an engine has overheated, you should replace your engine cooling thermostat because episodes of overheating can damage the thermostat. If the thermostat is damaged, and left in place, that can set the stage for future cooling system problems. If you desire that this overheating problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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

Immobilizer keeping car from starting.
Your car may need the service harness and relay installed into the wiring of your ignition switch; the tech bulletin is RJT 1678, to get the parts list and directions. This part is a fix to a few different problems...
Clutch has no resistance
A clutch with low resistance or effort generally indicates a problem in the clutch hydraulic system. Not sure if this is related to the stalling issue, but it may be putting additional load on the engine when the vehicle is...
Brakes easily lock up on snow
There are two possible causes that come to mind: The brakes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement) have excessive runout and are warped A wheel bearing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement) is failing If the wheel bearing has failed, it can cause some serious problems if not dealt with....
ECT Engine Coolant Sensor Removal
The tool is an open end wrench or a line wrench that should be a 3/4 inch for most sensors of this type. Take the new sensor with you to get the exact size you need since some were a...
Whats the Difference Between A "CKP Sensor And a CrankShaft Position Sensor?
There is no difference. CKP is the abbreviation for crankshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement).
When doing a radiator flush - do you need to replace the thermostat or any other components of the cooling system
Doing a radiator flush does not require any other component to be replaced. However, if the system has a lot of debris and scale in it, the thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement) may need to be replaced if it gets clogged or corroded....
How can you tell if my tires need to be rotated?
Hi, thanks for writing in. If it has been more than 5000 miles, then it is time. Also, you can take a look at the front and rear tires and move your hand over top of the tires in one...
Car won't start
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Quite often when the vehicle runs out of gas, especially on electronic fuel injected vehicles, the fuel pump may not have the required pressure to deliver gasoline to the fuel rail. In most cases...
After a bout of wet weather, the climate control buttons in my car will not work.
Hey there. Blinking lights indicates there is a code stored. This is good news because it will help diagnose the problem. If all the lights blink, then the climate control unit will need to be put into self diagnostic mode....

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Focus Electric
In In 2012, the Ford Focus Electric model went a step farther than other eco-friendly cars. Instead of creating another hybrid model, Ford chose to offer a fully electric vehicle with a very impressive range of 76 city miles and...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mazda CX-7
If If you want an SUV, but don’t care as much about the “utility” part as you do the “sport” features, you should take a look at what the 2012 Mazda CX-7 has to offer. Key Features With a turbo...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen CC
At At some point, most of us have to choose between the cars we wanted when were kids and the ones we need for our commute to the office or to pick up our own children. With the 2012 Volkswagen...