Q: Putting water in radiator but keeps spitting out as im filling it

asked by on January 19, 2018

My car overheated so i stopped then try to fill but keeps spitting out as im filling it

My car has 190000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Thermostat Replacement $157.20 - $759.78 Get a Quote
Radiator Replacement $353.55 - $1403.40 Get a Quote

It is possible that the reason for the overheating is not related to the radiator being low on water. Overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds. When this switch is not working properly, this can cause the fans to come on intermittently, all the time or sometimes not at all. When this happens you will notice a temperature spike and drop occasionally as the fan comes on and off. When your thermostat is not working properly or is stuck closed, this will not allow the coolant to properly circulate through the engine, which may cause the engine temperature to fluctuate erratically or in some cases just remain hot. You may also have a water pump that is beginning to fail. Water pumps often times will begin to produce a bit of a whining sound when they are starting to fail. A common problem also associated with this is the water pump may begin to leak around the water pump shaft due to the seal being damaged. In addition to leaking around the pump, you may have a leak elsewhere in the cooling system coming from one of the hoses going to or from the radiator. Lastly, you may have a failing cylinder head gasket allowing coolant to leak from the water passages into the cylinders resulting in the coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber with the fuel. If this is the case, you may also notice a bit of white smoke coming from your exhaust which is a product of the coolant being turned into a steam like vapor. I would suggest having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your cooling system as there are a variety of tests to perform to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

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

What kind of engine oil should I use?
There are several different kinds of engine oil that you have to choose from for your vehicle, but there is only one recommended kind. It varies based on your vehicle model. To choose the appropriate engine oil. If you have...
car makes noise on cold startups/oil question
Today's multi-viscosity oils do start off with a low viscosity during very low temperatures. There are aftermarket solutions you can add to your oil, such as oil stabilizers and anti-wear additives. High mileage oil for vehicles nearing six figures is...
Doors not locking
It sounds like you may be having some type of electrical problem. I Would recommend having a technician come out and inspect the electrical components (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electrical-components-are-not-working-inspection) on the four locks and look for a shorted wire or a bad switch...
Exhaust manifold bright red when car is on
Hi there. An exhaust manifold that reaches high temperatures is a sign of a blockage in your exhaust system. This blockage stops excess emissions to be burned off. The excess fuel and carbon will build up causing your manifold to...
My passenger window goes down but not up.
Windows motors are designed to move in both directions and if you operate the motor in both directions and hear the noise inside the door like a grinding noise, then you have a bad window regulator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-window-motor-regulator-assembly). It is possible...
Car is stalling when decelerating. Rpm jump when idle. Takes a long time to get warm
This may be a result of a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds...
Engine oil pressure sensor replaced oil light came on after replacing
The oil pressure light will usually come on when a few things could be happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil, the oil pump could be failing or not pumping oil sufficiently or the oil pressure sending...
Had valve job done on my 2010 Nissan Titan and head gasket and valve cover gasket replaced, truck still puffs could of smoke
If you have not already done so, replace the PCV valve. You should have the engine compression tested to see if any one cylinder is low on compression. The cause of white smoke that is not just condensation in the...
Air Filter noise and Check Engine Light
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Archeologist
If If you are an archaeologist, you need a vehicle that will take you off the beaten path. After all, that’s where you spend a good deal of your time. And that means that you will need, ideally, an SUV...
Top Five Selling Cars in Colorado in 2012
Colorado Colorado offers a varied climate depending on where drivers are located. Those in lower elevations see plenty of sunshine all year, while those in the mountain areas can see as much as 300 inches of snow. Due to this,...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...