What does it mean when my temperature guage goes all the way to red? What should I do about it?

Question

I was driving to work today, and the temperature guage in my car went into the red. After a few seconds, it went back to normal. I can also hear bubbling sounds when my car is idleing. Is there something I can just add to my car to fix it...or does it sound like a more serious problem?

Answer 1

Check your coolant level when it's cold. Don't play around, serious damage will occur.

Answer 2

It could be a couple of things. Either your thermastat is gone bad or your water pump is gone. Or at worst its that the headgasket is blown. A thermastat cost like $5 including the little gasket that comes with it from AutoZone. You would just have to get it put on. If the headgasket is gone then you need a new engine. They have some liquids that suppose to keep the engine coolant and oil from mixing after the headgasket is gone, but it didn't work for my thunderbird. Check your dipstick for the oil and see if there is any green like the antifreeze is mixing with the oil.

Answer 3

You may have a serious problem! The bubbling you hear is either the coolant boiling! (which is not good!) or air entering your coolant system from a coolant leak! Do not drive it until the cause of the overheating/coolant leak is corrected. You will only cause further damage which will cost more $$ to fix!

Answer 4

Aluminium block/head engines can't take overheating. Diagnosis what the cause of event was.

1. Blown rad/heater hose

2. Faulty thermostat

3. Malfunctioning water pump

4. Broken drive belt

5. Plugged rad. Look inside, hopefully there aren't white deposits growing

6. Faulty electric rad. fan

7. Low or improperly mixed coolant

- - -

Answer 5

It means your car is overheating. The cause could be a few different things. Water pump, low coolant, bad head gasket. You need to get it checked or more serious damage will occur.

Answer 6

It probably means that your vehicle is overheating. This can be casue by the water pump, radiator cap or thermostat. anyhow they do need to be replaced. there is a small hole under your water pump that wouldleak a little of antifreeze when it goes bad. put you finger under the water pump if your finger is wet then its bad. Other than that try replacing your radiator cap, 2 then thermostat and if it still gets hot the waterpump.

Answer 7

you probably have a leak somewhere, . considering the question, i would put wster in it and head for a garage. if it heats up before you get there, stop and let it cool. dont drive too long while in red area, if it is a newer car, it may need a 50=50 solution of water and anti=freeze.

Answer 8

if the coolant level is normal and not low 99% of the time your thermostat is sticking this is very easy to replace, but the bubbling noises is a big sign of a bad head gasket, unless it is bubbling into your resoviore

Answer 9

It means your car is overheating. You may be out of coolant, have a clogged or broken radiator, or a blown gasket somewhere.

Or you may simply need a new thermostat. Which is very affordable.

Answer 10

it means that your car is overheating and that you should stop driving and turn off your car before you seize the engine from to much heat, as heat and metal does not work together