My car has been overheating at idle for 4 days. I did som...
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Chris (aka-Moose)
322 days ago
Howdy from Tennessee, I'm Chris aka Moose. Who am I helping today? I'm glad you've come here to get help. I will do my best to get the answer you are looking for. I help many customers, so sometimes my replies are delayed, I will respond once available. I try to be online at 1-5 pm and 10 pm-5 am every day.
We need to first off find out where the coolant is going. If there is no coolant on the ground or while chalky appearance around parts that can leak coolant. That means you need to do a compression test to see if the head gasket has failed causing the coolant to be consumed in the engine and pushed out the exhaust. The overheating concern can be to blame on the low coolant or from combustion pressure packing air into the cooling system. The oil will turn black when the oil has gotten to an excessive high temp. These repairs are likely going to address the overheating without needing to inspect or repair other cooling system parts, like the radiator, water pump, cap.
Thank you for seeking us for help, I hope I provided what was needed. Press reply if you need to follow up. If you liked my answer please let me know so I can mark your question complete. Moose
Customer
322 days ago
Hi Moose, yes that's helpful. Gives me a direction to go in. I don't remember noticing anything chalky looking but I'll take another look to be sure. If not then I'll look into getting a compression test done. My understanding from your answer is that without the evidence of chalky residue it's unlikely to be an external leak. Let me know if I have that wrong. Do you think it's worth having a certified mechanic take a look rather than doing the compression test myself? I'm a novice at this and this is my first time doing any mechanical work for my car. I'm not sure if I can diagnose a headgasket leak on my own. Also, could you tell me what happens if a headgasket leak is left too long? Like 6 months - 1 year?
Chris (aka-Moose)
322 days ago
**My understanding from your answer is that without the evidence of chalky residue it's unlikely to be an external leak.** -----You are correct, dried coolant on the engine is normally white, if you do not see that, then there is likely not an external leak.
**Do you think it's worth having a certified mechanic take a look rather than doing the compression test myself?** ---To be honest, it sounds like a shop is your best choice based on your replies.
**Also, could you tell me what happens if a headgasket leak is left too long? Like 6 months - 1 year?-** ---If you do not address it, it will get worse and will eventually result in coolant and oil mixing and likely engine failure beyond just the gasket.
Glad to help
Customer
322 days ago
Okay, thanks again for your help, Moose. Once I finish up with the thermostat and all that I'll bring it into a shop asap.
Chris (aka-Moose)
322 days ago
You are welcome
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My car has been overheating at idle for 4 days. I did some research and decided to replace the thermostat and coolant hoses, and do a coolant flush. On the 4th day I was driving home from a quick trip out and driving up hill. I tu...
My car has been overheating at idle for 4 days. I did some research and decided to replace the thermostat and coolant hoses, and do a coolant flush. On the 4th day I was driving home from a quick trip out and driving up hill. I turned over drive off because it's supposed to be better when going up steep hills. A few blocks later I started smelling burning and my temp gauge was shooting up. I was 2 blocks from home so I just got there and parked it. The next day I checked the coolant and the reservoir was empty. I checked the oil and it was almost black. Last time I checked them was 5 days previous and oil was fine, coolant needed to be topped off in the reservoir but it was only an inch below max. Do you think I might have an internal coolant leak? I don't think it's in the oil because it doesn't have that frothy look. Not sure about the heater core but I'm not noticing any monster in the front passenger area. I havent noticed any coolant leaking externally.