Why is my eclipse overheating?

Question

I have a 1996 eclipse. It has overheated the last two days. I had been driving it for alittle over an hour each time. and it tends to happen while I am driveing in town. Any ideas what it could be?

Answer 1

Sounds like your waterpump is on the fritz. Check your coolant level, and look for leaks in your radiator. Most likely its the waterpump.

Answer 2

If you live in a warm climate check to make sure you have coolant in the radiator. Take the radiator cap off when cold and run the car until its warmed up to operating temperature, make sure the radiator fan comes on. Don't have the AC or interior blower fan running it might make the radiator fans run because the AC is on. You want to test the radiator cooling fan system to make sure it's working so keep the AC off. if you get a lot of air or a geyser of coolant coming out of the radiator there is a chance the head gasket is bad, causing to much pressure in the cooling system. Check for coolant leaks at the hose clamps and at the water pump. If the radiator fan does not come on and the motor starts to overheat, there may be a bad fan motor or sensor switch. The thermostat may be stuck closed, but the fan system is my first choice because of the overheat happening in town, at higher speeds the air flow through the radiator would be enough to keep the motor at the right temperature without the fan working.

Answer 3

For a 12 years old car you should;
check coolant level. is it at a proper level(above minimum level?)
replace thermostat.
check water pump. If it's not working, you would see a trace of coolant seeping out of the hole at the base of the water pump.
check radiator. it may need some serious cleaning if you haven't done this already.

Answer 4

ok bro first tell me this. Have you done anything to your car? change anything whatsoever? Let me know I might know your problem

Answer 5

time to change the radiator