A Tuesday Morning That Almost Cost a Customer Their Engine It was 7:45 AM on a cold February morning when Sarah rushed into my shop, panic written all over her face. Her 2011 Honda Civic was steaming like a teapot on the highway, and she’d barely made it to my parking lot. The temperature gauge … Read more
Few components in your vehicle’s cooling system are as deceptively simple—and critically important—as the humble thermostat. About the size of a hockey puck, this unassuming device regulates coolant flow between your engine and radiator, ensuring your engine runs at its optimal temperature. Yet, when it fails—which it inevitably will over time—it can trigger a cascade … Read more
Quick Answer: Top Signs of Radiator Problems Engine overheating (temperature gauge in the red) Coolant leaks under the vehicle Discolored or sludgy coolant Clogged radiator fins blocking airflow Sweet smell from the engine bay It was a scorching July afternoon in Phoenix a couple years back—must’ve been 115 degrees out. This lady pulls into the … Read more
Quick Answer: Coolant system problems often manifest as overheating, leaks, or contamination. A pressure test and visual inspection can diagnose most issues. Repair costs range from $50 for a DIY thermostat replacement to $800+ for a professional radiator replacement. It was a sweltering July afternoon in the shop when Ahmed rolled in with his … Read more
Quick Answer: To fix an overheating engine, start by checking coolant level and condition, inspect the thermostat and radiator fans, flush contaminated coolant, repair leaks, and properly bleed the coolant system. Most overheating problems are caused by airflow loss, coolant flow restriction, or trapped air—not engine failure. What an Overheating Engine Really Looks Like in … Read more
Last Tuesday afternoon, a panicked customer pulled into our bay with steam billowing from under her hood. She’d been sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95 when her temperature gauge suddenly pinned itself in the red zone. “I just had the oil changed last week,” she said, as if that should’ve prevented this. I popped the … Read more