my engine recently over heated and had smoke coming out from the bonnet, and when i looked inside i noticed that the tank you fill up with water for the radiator (excuse my lack of technical terms) was completely empty. I filled it up, but the minute i turn the engine on and just leave it running, within 2 minutes the water level rises and starts coming out the top (instead of draining into the over flow pipes) and then it starts smoking (and im worried the pressure of the water might make the lid to this tank explode. However, when i drive the car, or sit and rev the engine, the water just totally drains out of it. There is no leak, so no idea where the water is going or why. So im able to drive the car for short distances as long as i carry water to top it up again....but cant leave the engine running and sit still in it for longer than 2 mins. Does anyone know what the problem is???
2007-05-19 10:35:21 · 8 answers · asked by Caitlin 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i forgot to mention that the temperature gage inside the car isnt above the half way point, so its not showing that its over heating
2007-05-19 10:37:05 · update #1
just another bit of info i forgot to add....about a week before it over heated, the fan was coming on and when i turned the engine off it would take several mins to stop going. Since this problem occured, i havent heard the fan coming on at all.
2007-05-19 10:47:10 · update #2
When you refer to "the tank you fill up..." I assume you are talking about the overflow tank (that's what we Yanks call it, anyway, but we call a bonnet a hood, too...;-)) The overflow tank is intended to hold extra coolant to replace small amounts of coolant that is lost in the main cooling system.
If you lose most or all of the coolant in your cooling system, simply adding coolant to the overflow tank will not refill the system. When your engine overheated the first time you probably lost most of the engine coolant in the main system (that was the smoke you saw). Now, even if you fill "the tank" with coolant, the main part of the system is still empty, and the engine continues to overheat.
I would suggest that you take your car to a competent mechanic. At best, you can seriously damage your engine by allowing it to overheat repeatedly. At worst, you can seriously injure (burn) yourself. Automotive cooling systems are best left to a professional.
2007-05-19 10:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by Michael L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could b a stuck thermostat or the radiator fan is not turning..does it have a electrical fan or belt driven-if electrical does the fan turn when the AC is turned on.. WHY did it overheat RECENTLY ?? called overflow tank. If the water pump isn't turning U will also have the same problem ..
2007-05-19 10:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pull out the thermometer. It should be under the cap to the radiator. Check to see if it opens by putting it in a pot of boiling water it should pop open, if not you need a new thermometer. Hopefully that's your problem, or if you've run it to much while it was overheating you may have cracked your head which will be very expensive should you decide to keep the car and replace it.
2007-05-19 10:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Saltman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a blown head gasket or cracked head. Exhaust gas is getting into the cooling system and blowing the water out.
You can't trust the temperature gauge. If the coolant level gets below the sensor, the gauge won't be accurate.
2007-05-19 13:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will bet you are pumping it into the oil pan, pull the dipstick and check the oil level. When a car overheats BADLY there is a chance for head gasket failure, or cracking the head if it is alumenium. Either of these could cause that. OR its coming out the exhaust pipe, any smoke (it would be white)?
2007-05-19 10:40:36 · answer #5 · answered by dadforfive 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is stuck closed thus not allowing circulation so it overheats and pushes the water back out the only path of least resistance. You have have also by now warped the cylinder head as well.
2007-05-19 10:48:17 · answer #6 · answered by epitt72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AJ have been given it appropriate. NATE 625 have been given it appropriate ALEC C have been given it appropriate. the place do you hit upon a "mechanic", not to point an uncomplicated one. I even have under no circumstances considered maximum of stupid guesses, solutions, or regardless of. How can all people placed forth a splution once you do not comprehend the difficulty. i don't even comprehend what we are conversing approximately. the massive end has long previous. long previous the place, whats precisely is a "massive end" ?? what's "long previous" ?? actual desire extra enter. How could you replace an engine from the top gasket down ?? good day!! Mr. "mechanic", replace my engine from the top gasket down, and untie my tie rods whilst your at it.
2016-10-05 09:28:41 · answer #7 · answered by ilsa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be that you have a bad headgasket where the coolant is leaking into your engine itself. I would check the oil level and see if its overfilled or there is any signs of a white milky substance in it and go from there.
2007-05-19 10:43:06 · answer #8 · answered by JPD1821 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋