Car Overheating?

Question

Lately my car has been overheating really bad. I refilled the coolant reservoir about 3 weeks ago, but yesterday I had to buy another jug because it was almost empty again. I don't know if it keeps boiling over/evaporating or if I have a coolant leak somewhere. I checked to make sure my serpentine belt is running too because the last time the car was heating up, the belt broke and fell completely off.

Should I take it somewhere to have a coolant flush/fill done? Maybe the radiator is bad and needs to be unclogged/repaired or replaced? Or maybe a bad water pump? How much does it cost to get these services done roughly if that's the case?

I have a 1993 Mercury Sable.

Answer 1

Take it in to get the leak fixed and they will flush it out as part of the service.

You have a leak!

OMG I just saw the 93 Sable....V6 3.8, you may be looking at head gaskets....8-1100 bucks...Sorry Man

Answer 2

I've found over many years that the simple things will drive you crazy. With that said, I would suggest replacing the Thermostat. The thermostat can be checked at home with a pot of hot water, thermometer and some basic hand tools, but if your not one to spend the day busting your knuckles and inventing new swear words, it can be done by your local mechanic for a small sum. I would also recommend the "back flush". A preventative maintenance item that can save you hundreds. Also, if you can, grab a mirror and a flashlight, and locate the bottom of the Water Pump. At the bottom of the pump is a small hole. Often referred to as a "Tell Tale". When the seals or bearings start to let go, Antifreeze / water will trickle from this hole. This is a great little indicator of trouble. Last but not least, check the Dipstick for a "milky" look instead of the normal oil. With the engine cool, remove the Radiator cap, and look to see if any oily or sooty material is floating around. If either of these appear, you have a bad Head Gasket, or a crack that is allowing the coolant to escape in the cylinders, and hot exhaust to enter the cooling system.

Answer 3

I would take it to a garage or have a mechanic that you trust look at it.

I take it that you have not noticed any leaks, either under the car or from the cooling hoses.

Have you noticed if the engine cooling fan turns on when the engine is hot?

Mechanical causes for overheating is cooling fan not working, temperature sensors not working, radiator cooling fan not working, coolant thermostat not working, coolant to water ratio to low lowering the boiling point of the coolant.

The easiest way for coolant to leave the cooling system is through the overflow relief, a leak in the cooling lines, heater core, or cylinder head gasket cylinder head. Check your engine oil for discoloration to see if coolant is getting into your engine. Check to see if coolant is passing out the exhaust, coolant will produce white smoke when it pass into the engine.

An engine not cooling can cause serious damage to your engine, I would have this check as soon as possible.

Best of Luck

Answer 4

Sounds like a leaking head gasket to me, but it needs to be tested by sniffing the antifreeze and looking at the color of it. If its dark and rust colored and smells like exhaust fumes then its a head gasket. One other way to test to see if its the head is to let the car cool off, take off the radiator caps, fill it, and then start it up and once it warms up, rev it some and have someone check to see if there are dark clouds and overflowing antifreeze mixed with bubbles coming out the open caps.

If it was the water pump, it would leave a puddle on the ground when warmed up directly below the water pump location and you would see sediment built up on the water pumps bearing failure indicator hole.

If its the radiator, the color and smell of the antifreeze will be fine, and a radiator flush won't help make it run cooler.

Answer 5

How many times has it over heated? Your problem may have started out simple, like needing a new thermostat, but at this point I would be really surprised if you haven't ruined your head gaskets. Check your coolant for oil, and check your oil for coolant. If either is showing signs of being mixed, your problem is now the head gasket. You may still have an issue besides the head gaskets, but a head gasket is a pretty expensive job.

Answer 6

Thermostat, most likely. if your hose is hot except at the radiator then that would be the place to start. the cooling systems are pretty simple on most cars. I change my fluid and thermostat once a year. If you have a good mechanic do your work they should replace the thermostat when they flush the coolant. most quick lube places do not. if the thermostat is not opening the water will not be able to get cool.

Answer 7

so many reasons car engine become over heat;1)coolingg system; broke radiator,coolant level,water bump,coolin thermal.and any obstruction,leaking(internal or external) of the system could end up over heat.2)over product of heat;poor lubrication,low oil level or bad oil will increase friction when drive in high speed always over load the car in hot weather.3)not correct timing,poor exhaust system.old poor maintain engine;wear off valve,rings all can end up over heat.

Answer 8

take it to a shop and have them pressure test the system. this generally costs about a half hour of labor, but its well worth it to get it figured out