My car overheated an hour or so ago. I have no coolant here....?

Question

It's okay to pour water into the radiator, though, right? Engine's cooled down a lot, so I shouldn't have to worry about cracking the block or anything. Not mechanical at all....water ('til I get coolant) goes into the radiator only, and coolant into the "engine coolant only" reservoir, right?

Answer 1

you can put the water in the radiator and in the coolant overflow tank, if you lost that much coolant you must really have a bad leak, get it fixed and then get anti-freeze in there asap.

Answer 2

Exactly but be careful when you remove the cap on the radiator, there might be some pressure yet. Top off the radiator, then you can add some to the reservoir. When you start it up, watch the temperature gauge if it has one or watch for the idiot light for engine temp to come on. Some times when the engine over heats, the thermostat gets stuck and you may over heat again very soon. And don't forget to get the proper coolant replaced as soon as possible. You have now freeze protection.

Answer 3

i own a repair shop,and if you do add the water to it now,be sure and drain it,and re-mix it later on ,if it gets cold where your at, but water wont hurt it once its cool,but it needs to be drained ,and all new coolant added to it,and you need to find out the reason it overheated also,but if its going to get cold where your at ,drain the water back out of it,,good luck,i hope this help,s. and have a good thanks giving,

Answer 4

water good......
Anti-freeze better.........

radiator uses the coolant tank as an expansion-recovery tank and uses the same fluid.

I'd use water for now to determine where it's leaking.

Answer 5

you can add water but be sure you start the engine first or you gonna crack the block. when you get to some antifreeze be sure you drain out the block and radiatoe and fill it with antifreeze. make sure you warm up the car after the antifreeze and then recheck coolanr.

Answer 6

it all mixes in your radiator and engine block anyways if you have no collant than use water for now but at the first moment you can buy colant and drain your colling system then replace with colant water mix also use distilled water in you radiator...

Answer 7

water will work just fine

later on you will need to put coolant in it

could be leaking or your thermostat is locking up

Answer 8

its ok for a littl while to run water,but you better get some anti-freeze in it.you say its heating up?before you drain it to put anti-freeze in it,first check the thermostat,or replace it.