Q: radiator and overflow full, car is steaming but not overheating according to indicator gauge. can i drive it?
Radiator and overflow full, not overheating according to gauge but steam comes out
My car has 160000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Car is running hotter than normal Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hi Ronda. Thanks for contacting us today. It’s quite possible that your thermostat or coolant temperature sensor is what is causing this issue. If the gauge is malfunctioning, it will cause the coolant to run hotter than it should, creating the steam you’re seeing and beginning to overheat the engine. As such, I wouldn’t recommend driving the vehicle until you’ve had a chance to have a professional mechanic complete an onsite inspection. If the vehicle is overheating and the issue gets worse, it can cause serious engine damage.
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 change the air outlet mode?
Your vehicle has four different air outlet modes: air flow to the upper body, air flow to the upper body and the feet, air flow to the feet, and air flow to the feet with windshield defogger. To switch between...
Brakes locking up
The brake pedal being hard to push is telling me that there is a problem with your brake booster. The booster uses engine vacuum to help you apply force to the brake pedal. When the booster is not working this...
Car sabotaged
If there were some fuses missing, and if you think it was intentional, then the problem may be bigger than you think. If it still does not start after the fuses were installed then the problem needs to be diagnosed....
Key must be turned 20 times for car to start
Hi there. You would need to check the fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) and fuel pressure from both fuel pumps (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) (yes, there are 2). The pumps fail in an erratic fashion as you describe which may be why you are...
resetting blend air actuator
The a/c door actuators do not need programming. I think what happened is the door was in the incorrect position when you put in the actuator. What you need to do is remove the actuator and leave the actuator electrical...
The emission light has just come on after my car slowly leaking a clear fluid out of the back for two days but cant bring it to the shop for a week, is it safe to drive?
Does the fluid smell like gasoline? If it has no smell it is probably just condensation coming from the exhaust. If is is just water from the exhaust there is nothing to worry about. The light is probably on for...
I have a ton of white smoke from my truck when i start and run it, is that likely a head gasket problem?
Hello there, many faults will cause white smoke to be seen on startup with your 1988 Toyota Pickup. When white smoke it seen it indicates that coolant is being burned in the engine, this is not a normal operation. There...
My vehicle stalls while driving at 50-60 mph after running 10-15 minutes. Restarts immediately on start up.
Hi there. Check the ignition coils and see if they are getting hot. Also, check the spark plugs and wires and see when the last time they were replaced. Old spark plugs will rust up causing a resistance and a...
Backup lights don't work. Replaced a bad backup switch. When put in reverse the fuse blows.
When the reverse light switch was replaced and the fuse burns instantly when the reverse lights come on, then there is a direct short with the reverse light circuit. Check all of the wiring from the reverse light switch to...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX
The The Subaru Impreza is already a popular and sporty model, but when you look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX, it’s no wonder that people love it. This performance model adds a lot of features that help keep it...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Tropical Climate
If If you live in a tropical climate, most of your vehicle purchasing concerns will be essentially the same as if you lived anywhere else – you want a car that looks good, offers decent gas mileage, and suits the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Need to Haul a Motocross Bike
Of Of course you would love to be able to ride your motocross bike everywhere, but the reality is, at some point you're going to need to transport it. A cargo van of almost any make or model would be...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Cities
Services