Engine Overheating
Overheating means the engine is not shedding heat fast enough. Climbing toward Pikes Peak, sitting in summer traffic, or a small coolant leak can push the temperature into the danger zone - where head gaskets and aluminum parts fail quickly.
Symptoms
- Temperature gauge in the red or a warning light on
- Steam from under the hood
- Sweet coolant smell inside or outside the car
- Heater blows cold even though the engine is hot
- Coolant low in the overflow tank or puddled under the car
Can I keep driving when the engine is overheating?
- No. If the gauge is hot or you see steam, pull over safely, shut off the engine, and do not open a hot radiator cap.
- Even a few miles hot can warp the head or blow a gasket. Turning the heater on full may buy a little time, but stopping is the right call.
- After it cools, you might drive a very short distance only if a shop is right nearby and the gauge stays normal. Otherwise, tow.
Common causes
- Coolant leak - hose, radiator, water pump, or heater core
- Thermostat stuck closed - coolant cannot circulate
- Failed radiator fan or fan clutch
- Worn water pump impeller - common on higher-mileage cars
- Head gasket starting to fail - white exhaust smoke or milky oil
What happens next
- If you are stopped safely, call us. Tell us what the gauge did and whether you see leaks.
- We pressure-test the cooling system and check for combustion gases in the coolant when the symptoms fit.
- We find the real problem first. You get a clear estimate before we do any major work.