I'll be honest, I don't understand the 248 thumbs down. For such a simple seeming topic Eric shows how there is much more that can be involved. This is one of the most complete coverages of a topic I have seen. Granted it seems like a boring topic, but Eric brings out all the possible causes of an overheat condition. He explains how to troubleshoot the problem and shows how to develop a thought process for troubleshooting. I was troubleshooter on computer system for 30+ years so I respect someone who not only can troubleshoot but who has the ability to explain it all. Your communication skills are outstanding Eric. Hats off from an old troubleshooter.
I suspect that the 248 thumbs down are from haters or other mechanics who are angry at Eric for demonstrating their trade craft. I understand that mechanics need to make a living and they still do, a majority of jobs are far to complex or require too many specialized tools for your average DIY to do themselves. I recently paid to have my trucks fuel pump diagnosed and taken care of. I think that mechanics need to realize that sometimes, paying 800-1000$ to fix a car, is not an option and doing nothing means the difference between taking the buss to work or driving to work and a lot of people cannot take the bus to work, because no routes run near them. I didn't have any sort of father around to teach me how to work on cars when I was younger and I definitely didn't have any money to pay a mechanic, I learned the hard way ...... using cryptic Chilton's & Haynes auto manuals ..... if only I had access to these videos when I was younger.
That’s funny, I’ve been learning about cars lately to fix mine and I was thinking how it’s like troubleshooting a computer and fixing the broken parts. It’s not exactly the same but it’s the same feel ,how one problem can lead to another.
I see that some mechanics don't like this that Eric gives tips. I get it. It is really simple. There are two types of people. People that will just send their car to a mechanic...that is fine, and the good mechanics will ALWAYS continue to get business. Half the time, I am that person. Then there are the other types...people that have cars and want to learn and that is where Eric comes in. Educating the video watcher. Not everyone has the money to do simple DIY actions. However, I would take my car to Eric if I had the money and/or don't have the time. Eric is fantastic. Case closed. The point don't worry mechanics...you will still get business from me and others.
Yes sir you are right., but perhaps those persons gave a thumbs-down rating has a jelous or envy on their hearts., cannot accept that one Eric The Car Guy can overcome their knowledge.
Thank you, Eric. I am having a PT Cruiser overheating problem for a second time. The first time was just over a year ago when a company that repairs only Dodge and Chrysler attended to the problem. They replaced the water pump, all belts, thermostat and radiator cap. So, now that I have an overheating problem again, I decided to take steps myself to fully understand the causes and solutions. I have seen several UA-cam videos but did not find any that covers the topic so comprehensively as you have done. I now feel more confident at least to find out the cause of the over heating. Your video offering is much appreciated.
Eric, hands down, this was the best video on the internet explaining in detail "overheating issues" You are the best my friend Thanks for all your hard work and YES I will be one of the many that keep coming back to your channel 👊
You are not ‘the car guy.’ You are ‘the car god.’ Straight up right on info. Thanks for posting for us DIY’ers. Bought the funky funnel after watching your videos and was able to burp air out of my old f150. ‘Old Blue’ thanks you for clearing his indigestion.
Excellent video. None of the useless 'production' and chit-chat crap, just straightforward, and precise information. Best I have seen so far! Thanks for sharing!!!
Your depth of knowledge and how easily and effectively you speak is a great combination. I like your teaching style, so I'm now a subscriber. Merry Christmas Eric.
Last time I posted on this video was 12 years ago! Eric does an outstanding job of explaining the principles of how relays work and how to properly test them in this video. BUT, for people who are a little more advanced electrically, a much simpler way to test the relays is if you have another relay in the fuse box that's identical to the one for the radiator fan, just swap the relay with the other one. This will take you one minute at most. If the fans now work and the circuit that you pulled the other good relay from (headlight, etc) doesn't work anymore, you've nailed the problem and your diagnosis is done. Under 5 minutes and DONE! If the fan still don't work, and the other circuit does, you know that the relay was good all along. Also, activate the fans and tap the motor with a long screw driver. If it starts spinning, the motor has a broken winding. 30 seconds and diagnosis is DONE! Understanding systematic diagnostic procedures is really super important if you are new to this, but as you advance, you want to start using these much faster procedures to get the problem fixed sooner!
This is one of the best repair videos I have seen. Very informative on so many levels. Not just a good mechanic but a good speaker as well. It is obvious that Eric knows his stuff. Thank you!
My car didn't over heat many years ago, but it would have and now I know why. Bad radiator cap. When warm, it'd go to the overflow, but it wouldn't come back so I kept having to get rid of air bubbles, but never succeeded. So glad for the radiator cap info too!
I just experienced, in the middle of the highway, the overheated engine and somehow struggled to bring the car to have fixed. I searched and found this very educational VDO. Thank you so much for sharing it here. Despite my language barrier and lack of fundamental knowledge about car engine, this VDO has made me understand the problem and the possible causes of it and inspire me to learn more about car engine (and not be just a woman driver who knows nothing about car) 😊
Thank you Eric. I watched this video after my '05 V-6 Mustang was over heating at stops and Idle; this after just paying $500.00 to have a new radiator put in. Your video caused me to examine the fan. Low and behold the mechanic forgot to plug the fan back in. Thank you.
A very good video to watch 11 years later. Thank you very much for your great explanations. I guess you just missed to mention the water pump and sludge inside the radiator, I guess these can also cause overheat condition. Keep up the work. I am subscribing to your channel right away!
Excellent video! There are a couple of other things that can cause overheating, but this video covers the most common causes very well. My diesel motorhome over heating was caused by a loose radiator hose that allowed air to be sucked into the coolant, but didn't allow coolant to leak out. I also had a bad head gasket on the air compressor that caused air into the system but didn't allow water to leak out. Go figure! Excellent video!! The pressure test shown found my loose hose. One more thing, the liquid used in the tester for combustion leaks comes in two different types, one for gas engines and one for diesels. Use the appropriate fluid.
On small correction on how a thermostat opens - there is wax in the copper colored capsule that expands when heated and opens the valve to allow coolant to go the the upper tank of the radiator. The spring closes the valve. Good video - very practical.
I’m pretty new to working on most things on my car. This video seems so comprehensive on this issue, yet Eric explains it in a way that’s easy for even me to understand. He definitely has the right skills for teaching this stuff. Thank you so much, Eric!
Radiator cap was causing my overflow tank to bubble alot due to broken rubber seal letting air prematurely escape the radiator. It didn't become an overheating problem until I tried to take a longer road trip and thought to check the radiator cap. Good stuff. My mechanic recently did my oil pump and water pump but forgot to put a new thermostat. Based on what you said I'm sure it's starting to fail it's easy enough to change great info
Great videos eric love the fact that everything is explained in such detail no smart talk no trying to be a youtube star no bull just straight to the point what could be better cheers mate :-)
Hi Eric, I know you're an artist at heart. But, this is damn good example where you use your technical expertise, instinct & artistry in unison. Cheers
Just like Eric does, I always trouble shoot an issue starting with the simplest, easy fix things first and work my way from there to harder deeper problem/issues. Has served me well over the years.
This video, is huge to many of the viewers that have come before you to learn. Without any doubt in my mind, if you had made teaching in a trades school any of this, you'd be retired by now and living very well. Keep on truckin' Eric!
Eric I need a man like you lol. Thanks for another great video. We just changed the radiator on my Acura TL, but the poor little guy is still overheating. Fans are working. I am tackling the thermostat next. and yes I noticed last night that the upper hose was quite hot.. Please keep doing what you are doing : )
I cannot believe I just watched an auto repair video but I did. I was interested in the subject matter because of the over heating coolant warning in my 2015 Dodge Durango, but also because of how you articulated possibly diagnostic. After numerous trips back to the dealership, and they paying out thousands in loaner cars or rentals they still cannot resolve the issue. I want them to take back the vehicle at this point. A new vehicle with less than 18K miles should not be having these issues. Thanks Eric!!
Just wanted to thank you for everything you do. Really helps out, yesterday I had a company that comes to you, cost less than a brick building. Had an over heat with my 2006 Chevy Express cutaway 6.0, when I was getting y transmission serviced that told me that he though that the fan cutch was making noise. OK got OME replacement had my guy come out and change it plus some other front end work like tie rods ends etc. Got home to pay him and "oh your water pump is leaking" and he had to go. Ok this would be the 3rd water pump in 3 years, got a OME replacement pump. After I got back to pay him again he looked worried, van was over heating just sitting in the driveway, so after lots of chat I said lets change the therm o stat, he was looking like I was nuts, So I know his boss was rushing him to go to next job. I told him that back in the late 60's we would just pull the stat out and forget it. Does not snow much in Florida, question without the stat the engine is running about 20 degrees cooler, how important would it be to replace the stat? using 1 to 10 where would that be ? Thanks again you do a great job love all your post,
Great vid...thanks Eric. Only topics missed I noted were check to verify if the thermal switch was possibly malfunctioning (preventing fan from being energized) and any reference to possibly having a water pump mechanical failure or otherwise some type of restriction preventing flow of coolant thru the radiator. That coolant in the video was clogged full of all kinds of nasty chunky debris. Also imagine its important to mention whether or not the coolant has proper percentage of anti-freeze as that also dramatically affects the boiling point of the coolant similar to how you described the importance of the radiator cap. There's cheap testers for verifying the anti-freeze is proper mix ratio. Not sure what is out there for testing if the waterpump is poorly pushing fluid (if say vanes corroded or broken) or if radiator is clogged from debris (like the mess that was seen in your vid) other than trying to run radiator at temp without cap to see if you can detect flow in the radiator. Observing bubbles in the radiator while running also good visual test for head gasket failure though your gas detector kit is better measurement tool. Thanks for the ideas...helpful for me as I'm trying to track down son's coolant problem in his '01 Civic.
Hi Jim! I'm soon to go to a pro shop that advertises they work on Subarus. They said for $75 they have a special testing technology that pumps air into the coolant system to see where in the whole of the system, I guess many possible areas, where coolant can leak. Have you heard of that? What kind of technology is that? They said that test is the ultimate to really know why my car overheats. I already know the 2 fans work. The upper radiator hose collapsed and the mechanic that a few days ago changed to new fluid and was suppose to get all the trapped air out from when a guy who had put in a new thermostat. He also did the blue dye test and found no head gasket leak. I returned by luck for something forgotten plus still sound of air under dash. We found upper radiator hose collapsed. He loosened the hose clamp and let air expand it again (only I thought "oh no, he's letting air in the system again) and said top it off into radiator once all is cool and keep doing that until all the air is out. He was suppose to bleed it all out, the reason I brought my car to him to begin with. Also topping it off had already never worked before as another shop had told me to do that too. Just wondering I guess what that special testing device is. Have you hear of it. Also, what might be my overheating problem? I was thinking it was because it was never properly bled after the thermostat was put in. Thanks!
Hi Darrel! Thanks for the advice! I before receiving this yesterday bought about an $11 cap with what they said has a safety release lever so you don't get hot fluid on your hands, yet I read on the cap and only looks like it's some kind of a lock, is that what those levers really are, just a lock? There was no description with the cap. I drove about 18 miles with new hopes and parked. All went find but when I looked the reservoir bottle was full to the very top! I let it cool down for 35 minutes. The temp was 38 degrees. I then drove 5 miles toward home. On the way the cabin heat on full blast would go from very hot to outside temp just randomly. At 5 miles it went into I think "air-lock" and over heated. I stopped for 25 minutes. Once cool I added 1/2 gallon of coolant direct into the radiator! The reservoir was full to the very top. With my flashlight the lower radiator hose looked bulged, but like the upper hose only a 2yr old hose. The $17 thermostat (just were lower radiator hose connects on a '97 Subaru Legacy L wagon and it was only 2 days old. Also the upper hose was empty and hot. I drove another 12 miles home at 65mph yet 2 times the temp needle started moving up then went back down on its own. Do you know what all that means? Thanks! Oh, have you heard of that technology that pumps air into the cooling system to locate problems? It will cost $75. I'm thinking of going to a junk yard and bringing a used radiator to my appointment on Wed 11-1-17. I spent about $2,000 on it last spring through a home garage mechanic. I now learned never spend more than the car is worth if you were to sell it. Have you heard of that?
Thanks Eric. My car gets too hot too soon in heavy traffic. My mechanic checked it out thoroughly and said everything was working like it is supposed to. His advice was to run the a/c on low so I could keep those fans turning. I had not been doing that for fear that it would overload the engine and make the problem worse. Thanks for verifying his advice.
Dude I can't thank you enuf, I drive Lincoln Mark viii with the 4.6l motor and this is a common issue with this motor, most mechanics in my area hate working on these cars, I don't get how you can explain it so simple that I can now go do it myself, wow, I love your videos, you don't yak about nonsense, you get right to the heart of the matter, I hope you get an endorsement from somebody, I love your passion. Great job keep teaching.
The difference between a heart surgeon and a mechanic is, a mechanic can fix a motor with it off. Heart Surgeons have to fix them when they are running...
Two In The Pink One In The Stink what if they really dont. who knows what is possible, everything we know is by design, were completely brainwashed. COMPLETELY!
Check the coolant "inside" the radiator 1st... Mine was 2 cups low, and caused overheating going slow uphill. Thought it was my fan clutch at first, so I went & bought one. Then I Checked the coolant reservoir, which had plenty in it. Then I watched this video & went to visually check "inside" the radiator. Nothing to see. Added coolant & it runs cool again. Now if I can get my $$$ from the auto-parts store.. I might need a new cap... THX for posting this !
I am sitting a 200mile away from civilization with a car steaming from the reservoir at 2:11am and viola!, you made me troubleshoot the problem! So kind of you Eric! - the world need people like you, who work hard and share the wisdom. Wishing you a very cheerful New Year and great time with the machines. Best Regards Biju
Eric, great explanations and showing us what to look for when the part works and doesn’t. Thank you for the valuable information, summary at the end and your efforts in creating this video. Well done!
GREAT VIDEO! This guy makes things very easy to understand . explains all the details and walks you through all the process and activity in a very clear understandable visual way.. also very good clear video quality. this is all explained in a very down to earth way that simplifies this task to any level person that wants to DYI! nice to discover, hope to see more videos! thanks
There's also the possibility of a stuck thermostat which I've seen caused overheating in warm weather. This dude is the sort of friend everyone without a ton of cash to employ a repair shop, needs.
Yes and no. You can drive on a bad thermostat for years. I know this because I did on 3 cars until I got tired of not having heat in the winter then I replaced them.
I really appreciate you taking the time to produce these helpful videos. When my car is overheating, I immediately check the oil. If it looks like chocolate milk, that’s coolant in the motor. Here’s a tip. When I’m going to buy a used car, the first thing I inspect is under the oil filler cap. If I see a jelly goo like substance, I walk away from the car. That means the car has overheated and cooling fluid was in the motor.
one thing not mentioned is to check for CLOGS, if someone mixed to types of coolant they could gel up and clog the system, or if the system is just horribly UN-maintained you could have a build up of sludge, in GM cars we call it Dex-Sludge and a gunked up cooling system can have reduced efficiency. that one you replaced in the video looked pretty gunked up.
Craziest thing I have ever found to be cause of overheating. The block was half full of sediment. I added a double dose of super-flush the system ran it twice as long as the minimum required. I started the truck and did the flush till it came out crystal clear. I then drove around on the highway that circles the city. Roughly 30 miles at 65 (+)MPH with another double dose of super flush. I modified a flush unit with a ball valve so I could attach a garden hose to the heater hose while the truck was running under pressure and hot. I then did another flush till it cam out crystal clear. Now that everything was clean I replaced the radiator, hoses. thermostat and all the little things needed. The cleaning opened up a small leak in one of the freeze plugs.I drove it a while and it still overheated. When I popped out the freeze plug there was sediment almost to the top of them. I took out all the freeze plugs and ran a garden hose with a pressure nozzle and a wet dry vacuum. I pulled out about 3 quarts of sediment. The bottom of the cylinders were packed with sediment so the water couldn't circulate causing the coolant to boil. If the flushing hadn't caused the freeze plug to leak This would have taken a lot longer to find. I don't understand how that much sediment filled the block
Yes. I have encountered this over the 40 years I have been an ASE Certified Tech. Although a significant amount of sediment can accumulate, you are correct that not that much sediment would collect (presuming that the system had coolant in it and not just straight water). I have found the culprit is what was at one time the temporary cure for radiator leaks. A product of powdered metallic called Stop Leak. Whatever metallic powder product is not used to seal up a leak in a radiator or freeze plug that was leaking will eventually wind up in two places. The first spot is it collects in the block at the bottom of the water jackets. Secondly and somewhat equally, it will collect in the bottom of the radiator. Eventually after repeated and almost habitual use, the water jacket fills up with the product combined with sediment and basically shrinks the engines cooling jackets to the point where I have seen the product clear up to the cylinder heads, and the block was left with nearly no circulation at all. It just goes to show you that the quick fix is exactly and only just that, and can cause greater problems with continued use.
Too bad all mechanics aren't like Eric and give a damn. Most mechanics nowadays just read codes and change parts, it's not their money so what's it matter, this is how all mechanics should think/diagnose, in a perfect world I'm sure, but it's a shame we all can't take our cars to an Eric the car guy who we can trust and know he's knowledgeable and isn't gonna throw parts at it until we're broke, and the damn thing doesn't run any better than it did! Hey Eric, instead of ase certified, we want etcg certified mechanics! Start a school and teach these idiots to give a damn.. Dammit! Lol
Jackie Marie have you checked temperature sensor? I was told that this temperature sensor can give false overheating alarms after a real overheating condition happened and was addressed already (new parts like you did). Does it make sense? An experienced technician told me this.
Yes ' you are right ,,, 👍 Even in aircraft maintenance , we call it / them " R&R mechanic " , he just keep remove and replace parts till problem solved .
This guy is freaking awesome! Thank you for being so real and sincere as well as informative! Also thank you for breaking it down in a way we all can understand
I am just a regular Joe and I have to tell anyone pissing with coolant and radiators you must buy a "spill free funnel" it will help you soooooo much it makes this situation so easy I look forward to using it, it helped me find I had a blown head gasket, it also help with replacing block heater plug, water pump, thermostat and fluid change it help bleeding air easy peasy!!!!
My brother helped me yesterday to change the water pump, and the battery, and it was an all dayer. Did not know to bleed air from said lines. Now, that being said, I think it's time to have some initiative and learn how all this stuff in the engine works. Not sure why I always found that intimidating, but taking those things apart yesterday, cam interested in learning now. I found your video interesting, thorough, informative, and insightful. Thank you. Fingers crossed fir my 3.9 old Dodge Dakota
Hi Louis puglisi, That was what I was concerned about. Because I changed out the hoses that were bad & I recharged w/refrigerant then in 1 week no air came out the vents so all I could figure out was that the temperature control sensor was bad. Am I right? Cuz the gauges show hot but it's not hot at all irs normal hot temp. What u think?
I have oldsmobile cutlass ciera 1994 3.1 I changed the coolant thermostas hoses and rad cap but when car idle or stop on traffic for long the temperature gauge will pass the half and fan is working but its kicking on late is that the coolant temperature sensor
you don't have to systematically troubleshoot water pump failure. I just replaced one, believe me, when they go out, they scream at you and there is no need to troubleshoot simply replace the darn thing.
I agree, I was expecting Eric to say something about the water pump, but I believe to test that, you can just turn on the heat in your car, if it blows hot, water pump is most likely good…I think ;-)
For the layman auto mechanic, Eric, the proper term for that "upside-down horse-shoe-looking thing" is the Greek letter capital omega. it stands for the electrical/electronic word "ohm" or "ohms."
Eric the car guy is exactly what a lay person needed to resolve my problem. Learned so many other things as well, which is a bonus. Thanks bro. I owe you a HJ or BJ, no expiration so hit me up when you need it.
Eric knows what's up. I learn something new every time I watch him or if I need help on understand the issue on my car. Thanks you Eric the car guy. As you always say. STAY SAFE AND STAY DIRTY. 🙂🙂🙂
My car temperature keeps going up to the h but it’s not overheating and we change the switch and thermostat and it’s still doing that what’s going on am scared to drive it with gauge going up, it goes all the way up and then comes back down
Thank you for the detailed information. I did all the tests mentioned here and unfortunately I found a leak in the combustion chamber. I changed my engine with a new one. Honda civic 03.
Great video. It saved me $800. I figured out that the radiator cap valve was bad. It was bleeding into the reservoir but not sucking back into the radiator. A mechanic tried to tell me I needed a head gasket changed and was going to charge me $800.
(7:23) - I have a 2011 Dodge GC. The coolant temp rises when the AC is on, but scales back when AC is off. AC on - Temp fluctuates 219 to 224+ (rarely to 230 - and rarely down to 213) - stays at an average of 222 most of the time. I thought perhaps it needed coolant. I put some in. And right now it's idling. The temp is fluctuating 212 to 219 - (but again, it's just idling). A few days back, the vehicle had a hose blow, and my usual mechanic found the leak (gaping hole) - This was fixed. But now today, this. It's Sunday night. I'll take it back Monday to get it checked. Your video here is excellent.
Hoo yes your information on car overheating was very use full and now i can find out in my tractor trailer why it is over heating even when the fan is working
Mines? He is a car repair man. Why would you need to repair a mine? The explosive kind is too dangerous to repair and likely needs to be completely de activated and destroyed. A gold or diamond mine would be a completely different type of repair job than an automobile.
Eric does a Great Job of Explaining everything in Laymen’s terms for a simpleton like myself to understand. Love The Content And Keep Up The Great Work
Eric, you missed a few things. Collapsing or blocked hoses, slipping belt, rotted impeller (mentioned). I've got a strange one that I'd love your thoughts on: 1998 Dakota 5.2, a billion miles, bought as a backup vehicle. Mechanical fan, thermal clutch. Overheats slowly at idle, but runs cool at speed. Fan turns correct direction and moves alot of air, sounds like a jet engine when 190+ degrees. Shroud is in good condition, fan and shroud seem positioned well, decent seal to radiator. I flushed system, used rust remover flush to clean the block, replaced all hoses (not pinched or collapsing), t'stat with a 195* Stant, replaced belt, tensioner, replaced radiator, cleaned out overflow, replaced cap (16 lbs), filled with 50% "universal" green coolant. It STILL overheats at idle, although it takes a little longer, temp climbs slower. In 90 to 100 deg air temps it climbs slowly to 220 and keeps going. If I hold the rpm at 2000, fan sounding like a jet engine, the coolant temp very slowly drops to normal. The only thing I can think of now is the water pump. Possible rotted impeller? I tried to check flow with cap off at temp, but difficult to do and poor results. Very little movement. Revving does a little, but not much. Oh, and coolant looks clean and no froth or bubbles to indicate air trapped or head gasket, etc. Laser temp gun test at normal operating temp showed 195 deg top hose dropping to about 140 deg into the lower hose. Yes, I've verified its overheating, not a bad gauge or sender. It looks like the pump's been changed before since there's orange gasket sealer poking out around it, but no idea when. Its got about 300k miles on the truck total. Thoughts? I bought a hi flow water pump and hi flow tstat that I plan to install next. Is there anything I've missed? What would you do...besides shoot it?
I have to say it, most likely I have before...but whatever. I freaking LOVE your videos! I have learned SO MUCH about fixing my cars, especially my Honda by watching you. I have been subscribed for years. You explain everything clearly, with direction that is easy to understand..plus you give great tips. I always check out your videos first if they apply to the issue I am having. THANK YOU!
Virginia Francis hi virginia how are you,what car do you have and whats the problem, i wish i was in hawaii again to help you, i used to be stationed in oahu, i actually raced stock cars out in ewa beach, cambell industrial park before it closed.
hey! we live on Oahu too and would love to see him also! Maybe if we get enough people together we could pick up the tab for his ticket! Wouldn't that be a great business trip he & could write off? He is such a nice guy and just like the local guys here that try to help when they can.We have an Isuzu 2008 pickup that over heats and can't even find the darn Thermostat to change it! Supposedly same as the Chevy Coronado but I Dunno!?
Eric your absolutely amazing at the way you explain your diagnosis of engine problems and the step by step methods to research the best case scenarios to the worst. Genesis sporadically overheating , great info .
Mine was bubbling in the expansion chamber, so it was a head gasket. I wouldn't normally use stop leak, but the car already had 240,000 miles on it, and just had to last us a couple more months, so I used the stop leak for head gaskets, and it has almost been a year without any more problems. I am amazed that it worked, but am glad that I won't be rebuilding the engine with that mess in it.
Thankyou Eric I have an overheating Lexus diesel on the highway and have both the pressure test kit and CO2 analyzer kit. My fans come on when A/C activated, thermostat appears ok as the radiator hoses hot and pressure up. The car runs ok for a while at correct temp, only after a while does it overheat! Oh and oil is clean with no white exhaust smokeI I suspect head gasket or block issues so we will see. Your video was excellent in detail explanation and method to diagnose so grateful for the time and effort you put into this. Fascinating how you have a car there with almost everything gone wrong in the cooling chain?
I enjoyed listening to your video learned heaps my car is overheating and it might not be just the thermostat. I just hope it's not the head gasket. It happened suddenly. About a month ago. I hope it's nothing major.
We were working on a 2006 Lard Rover Range Rover with the 4.4L V8. We found the thermostat housing was cracked, we replaced it, still leaking, replaced the rad after finding pinholes in it, coolant overflow and rad cap came with the Rad. Still overheat, so we took off the water pump, and sure enough it had some small leaks. Replaced it too, just to find out it still wanted to heat up to about 3/4 of the way so we'd stop and it'd cool right off and we'd keep going. $3,000 later in parts and labour when the owner finally called it quits. My boss didn't want to test for conbustion gasses even though I mentioned it several times. It was overheated at one point to cause some of these issues, others just being wear from 280k miles. Before we put a new rad in, I suggested the combustion gasses check but was told not to worry about it. Nearly certain that's what was causing it because almost everything else had been replaced for the cooling system. There was no leaks when it left, but wouldn't stay cool on extended drives. 30 minutes and it would go back up. Note to people looking at buying "cheap used Land Rovers", don't do it. When things break, they get expensive real quick and most shops will just repair the first issues they see rather than going in depth to check everything.
Thanks Eric. I have a 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5. that only raises the temperature gauge to almost max when I travel up hills. I'm gonna do what you said in this video. I will check back if I can diagnos the problem. Thanks for your great info. Your very thorough and knowledgeable.
My son had an '06 Honda CRV and he said it was not running right so I drove it and found out that when driving with a lot of start and stop traffic it seemed to want to die but when I was on the interstate it was fine and the AC was blowing cold. My first thought was that the engine was overheating and when I got it home I discovered that both the fan for the radiator and AC condenser were not working after directly applying 12V to them from my charger. If a car has an overheating problem I would definitely recommend checking the fans first especially if the coolant is at the appropriate levels and the fans are electrical. If your cooling fans are mechanical and are moving correctly then you may have other issues. In an electrical fan system, the fans only come on when they need to according to the temperature sensors for the engine and AC systems so if the car is cold they will not run. Always check them with another 12V source that has enough current to run them.
Great video, I would add the choice of Thermostats is important "Slant" is making ones without a release valve on the upper section. "Do not purchase those" get the ones with the release valve on the upper section and install properly so the air can be released from the release valve.
Great informational video. FYI Explorers and Mountaineers 2006-2010 have a cooling system operating pressure of 20psi. Results in a lot of radiator failures.
Hello Eric, Great video once more, i bought a Accord cl9 a year ago a month later started overheating, i filled coolant and tried to bleed the air out but air would keep coming out so i thought HG was bad, just to ensure i bought that blue liquid tester and it became yellow so the HG was indeed bad, i changed water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, head gasket, resurfaced head on CNC and block with a homemade oldschool patent, new engine bolts with 1x extra 90° turn, HG sprayed with copper spray, changed radiator temp coolant sensor , fans working 100%, car was fine for 4 months after i repaired it but than the problem came back again, i had overheating and my radiator went bad (had a hole somewhere and maybe with the time even if it was repaired it was slowly draining and problem came back) recently changed radiator but didnt bled the air out properly(either didnt bled enough air out or the HG is bad again and shoves air into the coolant AGAIN...) so far have no overheating issues but at cold starts i can hear the heater core burpling and i still have to add little coolant to fill radiator, at the e-store where they sell those blue liquid testers they suggest to drain the coolant out of the system and add pure water to have a correct result, i saw in your video you probably did the test with coolant in system, is that ok? I havent made a pressure test yet, i would be really happy to get some feedback from you and excuse me for the huge message :)
You forgot ONE thing, broken water pump. Similar symptoms to blocked radiator, outgoing hose is hot, hose at the bottom is cold since the pump dont manage to pump water through the radiator. Just had one of those cars :) On sumup You forgot cooling cap. REALLY good walkthrough for non mechanics, even for me, I didnt know the exact function of the cooling cap except keeping it pressurized and allowing overheat system to vent
Awesome job explaining in a simple straightforward manner! This is probably been commenting on but I didn't hear any comments regarding water pump failure such as the impeller breaking which I had happen once. Highly recommend
I wonder why i didn't see this video before my totally useless change of the ECT Sensor, thanks Eric for the tip of the hoses temperature, I found that the problem is the termostat. You Rock. Javier from Argentina, Civic 2007.
great video Eric I also wanted to add another over heating problem that's over looked that would be the water pump I've seen water pump's fail and cause over heating. I did every procedures you talked about on your video then I thought about checking the water pump took it apart found out it was free wheeling and it wasn't spinning the fins besides that your doing a great job keep up the good work.
If you replace the radiator, replace the cap with an OEM cap. It's too important not to. And if you have an older car, and you have no leaks, full of coolant, pressure test ok, replace the radiator as the passages have probably narrowed over time due to buildup. Learned this, and many, many, other lessons from the school of hard knocks, and trial and error.
I'll be honest, I don't understand the 248 thumbs down. For such a simple seeming topic Eric shows how there is much more that can be involved. This is one of the most complete coverages of a topic I have seen. Granted it seems like a boring topic, but Eric brings out all the possible causes of an overheat condition. He explains how to troubleshoot the problem and shows how to develop a thought process for troubleshooting. I was troubleshooter on computer system for 30+ years so I respect someone who not only can troubleshoot but who has the ability to explain it all. Your communication skills are outstanding Eric. Hats off from an old troubleshooter.
I suspect that the 248 thumbs down are from haters or other mechanics who are angry at Eric for demonstrating their trade craft. I understand that mechanics need to make a living and they still do, a majority of jobs are far to complex or require too many specialized tools for your average DIY to do themselves. I recently paid to have my trucks fuel pump diagnosed and taken care of. I think that mechanics need to realize that sometimes, paying 800-1000$ to fix a car, is not an option and doing nothing means the difference between taking the buss to work or driving to work and a lot of people cannot take the bus to work, because no routes run near them. I didn't have any sort of father around to teach me how to work on cars when I was younger and I definitely didn't have any money to pay a mechanic, I learned the hard way ...... using cryptic Chilton's & Haynes auto manuals ..... if only I had access to these videos when I was younger.
That’s funny, I’ve been learning about cars lately to fix mine and I was thinking how it’s like troubleshooting a computer and fixing the broken parts. It’s not exactly the same but it’s the same feel ,how one problem can lead to another.
I see that some mechanics don't like this that Eric gives tips. I get it. It is really simple. There are two types of people. People that will just send their car to a mechanic...that is fine, and the good mechanics will ALWAYS continue to get business. Half the time, I am that person.
Then there are the other types...people that have cars and want to learn and that is where Eric comes in. Educating the video watcher. Not everyone has the money to do simple DIY actions. However, I would take my car to Eric if I had the money and/or don't have the time. Eric is fantastic. Case closed. The point don't worry mechanics...you will still get business from me and others.
Yup havent had any disagreements with eric from what ive watched.
Yes sir you are right., but perhaps those persons gave a thumbs-down rating has a jelous or envy on their hearts., cannot accept that one Eric The Car Guy can overcome their knowledge.
Thank you, Eric. I am having a PT Cruiser overheating problem for a second time. The first time was just over a year ago when a company that repairs only Dodge and Chrysler attended to the problem. They replaced the water pump, all belts, thermostat and radiator cap. So, now that I have an overheating problem again, I decided to take steps myself to fully understand the causes and solutions. I have seen several UA-cam videos but did not find any that covers the topic so comprehensively as you have done. I now feel more confident at least to find out the cause of the over heating. Your video offering is much appreciated.
Eric, hands down, this was the best video on the internet explaining in detail "overheating issues"
You are the best my friend
Thanks for all your hard work and YES I will be one of the many that keep coming back to your channel 👊
pointiaç
Common sense, thorough, to the point, and Git'er Done! You're easy to understand and truthful, the two most important traits.
You are not ‘the car guy.’ You are ‘the car god.’ Straight up right on info. Thanks for posting for us DIY’ers. Bought the funky funnel after watching your videos and was able to burp air out of my old f150. ‘Old Blue’ thanks you for clearing his indigestion.
I was wondering if I had found the next " Scotty"!
Excellent video. None of the useless 'production' and chit-chat crap, just straightforward, and precise information. Best I have seen so far!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Easily the best mechanical tutor around. Well analyzed and comprehensively explained.
Your depth of knowledge and how easily and effectively you speak is a great combination. I like your teaching style, so I'm now a subscriber. Merry Christmas Eric.
Last time I posted on this video was 12 years ago!
Eric does an outstanding job of explaining the principles of how relays work and how to properly test them in this video. BUT, for people who are a little more advanced electrically, a much simpler way to test the relays is if you have another relay in the fuse box that's identical to the one for the radiator fan, just swap the relay with the other one. This will take you one minute at most.
If the fans now work and the circuit that you pulled the other good relay from (headlight, etc) doesn't work anymore, you've nailed the problem and your diagnosis is done.
Under 5 minutes and DONE!
If the fan still don't work, and the other circuit does, you know that the relay was good all along.
Also, activate the fans and tap the motor with a long screw driver. If it starts spinning, the motor has a broken winding. 30 seconds and diagnosis is DONE!
Understanding systematic diagnostic procedures is really super important if you are new to this, but as you advance, you want to start using these much faster procedures to get the problem fixed sooner!
This is one of the best repair videos I have seen. Very informative on so many levels. Not just a good mechanic but a good speaker as well.
It is obvious that Eric knows his stuff. Thank you!
Imagine the response if home boy wore a clean t-shirt.
@@bill2953 Not working on many cars there, ehh Bill?
You seriously are the man, thank you so much, i never knew a radiator cap had so many functions, now i have a good idea to why my car is over heating.
My car didn't over heat many years ago, but it would have and now I know why. Bad radiator cap. When warm, it'd go to the overflow, but it wouldn't come back so I kept having to get rid of air bubbles, but never succeeded.
So glad for the radiator cap info too!
First Person Troller Hol up
I must agree Eric did a fantastic job explaining everything I've learned a whole lot.
783 washed up mechanics hate Eric. Me on the otherhand THANK YOU ERIC this is the best video on the topic I've seen so far.
2020 and this video is so informative and well done I am amazed by what all I just learned. You are the best.
2021, same thing
@@mechantics I
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@@mechantics has lllama pool llllppll pi l pop up loo lolpp pop l lollipop
I just experienced, in the middle of the highway, the overheated engine and somehow struggled to bring the car to have fixed. I searched and found this very educational VDO. Thank you so much for sharing it here. Despite my language barrier and lack of fundamental knowledge about car engine, this VDO has made me understand the problem and the possible causes of it and inspire me to learn more about car engine (and not be just a woman driver who knows nothing about car) 😊
Thank you Eric. I watched this video after my '05 V-6 Mustang was over heating at stops and Idle; this after just paying $500.00 to have a new radiator put in. Your video caused me to examine the fan. Low and behold the mechanic forgot to plug the fan back in. Thank you.
A very good video to watch 11 years later. Thank you very much for your great explanations. I guess you just missed to mention the water pump and sludge inside the radiator, I guess these can also cause overheat condition. Keep up the work. I am subscribing to your channel right away!
Excellent video! There are a couple of other things that can cause overheating, but this video covers the most common causes very well. My diesel motorhome over heating was caused by a loose radiator hose that allowed air to be sucked into the coolant, but didn't allow coolant to leak out. I also had a bad head gasket on the air compressor that caused air into the system but didn't allow water to leak out. Go figure! Excellent video!! The pressure test shown found my loose hose. One more thing, the liquid used in the tester for combustion leaks comes in two different types, one for gas engines and one for diesels. Use the appropriate fluid.
On small correction on how a thermostat opens - there is wax in the copper colored capsule that expands when heated and opens the valve to allow coolant to go the the upper tank of the radiator. The spring closes the valve. Good video - very practical.
I’m pretty new to working on most things on my car. This video seems so comprehensive on this issue, yet Eric explains it in a way that’s easy for even me to understand. He definitely has the right skills for teaching this stuff. Thank you so much, Eric!
Radiator cap was causing my overflow tank to bubble alot due to broken rubber seal letting air prematurely escape the radiator. It didn't become an overheating problem until I tried to take a longer road trip and thought to check the radiator cap. Good stuff. My mechanic recently did my oil pump and water pump but forgot to put a new thermostat. Based on what you said I'm sure it's starting to fail it's easy enough to change great info
Great videos eric love the fact that everything is explained in such detail
no smart talk no trying to be a youtube star no bull just straight to the point
what could be better cheers mate :-)
+Steves Projects Well said man
thanks mate
Steves Projects m,!
would a thicker radiator help keep a ym2000d Myanmar tractor cooler
Yeah Eric is legit!
Hi Eric,
I know you're an artist at heart. But, this is damn good example where you use your technical expertise, instinct & artistry in unison.
Cheers
This video needs a UA-cam award!!!!! Eric is the man🤘😎
Thank you sir for your time!!!
Just like Eric does, I always trouble shoot an issue starting with the simplest, easy fix things first and work my way from there to harder deeper problem/issues. Has served me well over the years.
This video, is huge to many of the viewers that have come before you to learn.
Without any doubt in my mind, if you had made teaching in a trades school any of this, you'd be retired by now and living very well.
Keep on truckin' Eric!
Truly intelligent dude and such a well put together segment!! I followed along start to finish and understood all of it! :D
He always looks so tired.... defiantly a hard working man!
ACCORDING TOO WHO YOU YOURSELVE ...HE SURE DOESN'T LOOK TIRED TOO ME
Eric I need a man like you lol. Thanks for another great video. We just changed the radiator on my Acura TL, but the poor little guy is still overheating. Fans are working. I am tackling the thermostat next. and yes I noticed last night that the upper hose was quite hot.. Please keep doing what you are doing : )
CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR ,
I cannot believe I just watched an auto repair video but I did. I was interested in the subject matter because of the over heating coolant warning in my 2015 Dodge Durango, but also because of how you articulated possibly diagnostic. After numerous trips back to the dealership, and they paying out thousands in loaner cars or rentals they still cannot resolve the issue. I want them to take back the vehicle at this point. A new vehicle with less than 18K miles should not be having these issues. Thanks Eric!!
Just wanted to thank you for everything you do. Really helps out, yesterday I had a company that comes to you, cost less than a brick building. Had an over heat with my 2006 Chevy Express cutaway 6.0, when I was getting y transmission serviced that told me that he though that the fan cutch was making noise. OK got OME replacement had my guy come out and change it plus some other front end work like tie rods ends etc. Got home to pay him and "oh your water pump is leaking" and he had to go. Ok this would be the 3rd water pump in 3 years, got a OME replacement pump.
After I got back to pay him again he looked worried, van was over heating just sitting in the driveway, so after lots of chat I
said lets change the therm o stat, he was looking like I was nuts, So I know his boss was rushing him to go to next job. I told him that back in the late 60's we would just pull the stat out and forget it. Does not snow much in Florida, question without the stat the engine is running about 20 degrees cooler, how important would it be to replace the stat? using 1 to 10 where would that be ?
Thanks again you do a great job love all your post,
I've been trying to figure out my overheating issue for weeks. Problem solved thanks to you ! Radiator cap...
WISHFUL THINKING ! SADLY OVERHEATING ISSUES NEVER END
You're more fun to watch than "CSI" Eric. Thanks for your videos.. I need the education.
Hi Eric thank you for sharing all the videos I learned a lot from you God Bless From Alaska
Great vid...thanks Eric. Only topics missed I noted were check to verify if the thermal switch was possibly malfunctioning (preventing fan from being energized) and any reference to possibly having a water pump mechanical failure or otherwise some type of restriction preventing flow of coolant thru the radiator. That coolant in the video was clogged full of all kinds of nasty chunky debris. Also imagine its important to mention whether or not the coolant has proper percentage of anti-freeze as that also dramatically affects the boiling point of the coolant similar to how you described the importance of the radiator cap. There's cheap testers for verifying the anti-freeze is proper mix ratio. Not sure what is out there for testing if the waterpump is poorly pushing fluid (if say vanes corroded or broken) or if radiator is clogged from debris (like the mess that was seen in your vid) other than trying to run radiator at temp without cap to see if you can detect flow in the radiator. Observing bubbles in the radiator while running also good visual test for head gasket failure though your gas detector kit is better measurement tool. Thanks for the ideas...helpful for me as I'm trying to track down son's coolant problem in his '01 Civic.
He can't cover every aspect.
Jim Polk
I was hoping for some of the same information Jim
Hi Jim! I'm soon to go to a pro shop that advertises they work on Subarus. They said for $75 they have a special testing technology that pumps air into the coolant system to see where in the whole of the system, I guess many possible areas, where coolant can leak. Have you heard of that? What kind of technology is that? They said that test is the ultimate to really know why my car overheats. I already know the 2 fans work. The upper radiator hose collapsed and the mechanic that a few days ago changed to new fluid and was suppose to get all the trapped air out from when a guy who had put in a new thermostat. He also did the blue dye test and found no head gasket leak. I returned by luck for something forgotten plus still sound of air under dash. We found upper radiator hose collapsed. He loosened the hose clamp and let air expand it again (only I thought "oh no, he's letting air in the system again) and said top it off into radiator once all is cool and keep doing that until all the air is out. He was suppose to bleed it all out, the reason I brought my car to him to begin with. Also topping it off had already never worked before as another shop had told me to do that too. Just wondering I guess what that special testing device is. Have you hear of it. Also, what might be my overheating problem? I was thinking it was because it was never properly bled after the thermostat was put in. Thanks!
mwj5368 Try a new radiator cap.
Hi Darrel! Thanks for the advice! I before receiving this yesterday bought about an $11 cap with what they said has a safety release lever so you don't get hot fluid on your hands, yet I read on the cap and only looks like it's some kind of a lock, is that what those levers really are, just a lock? There was no description with the cap. I drove about 18 miles with new hopes and parked. All went find but when I looked the reservoir bottle was full to the very top! I let it cool down for 35 minutes. The temp was 38 degrees. I then drove 5 miles toward home. On the way the cabin heat on full blast would go from very hot to outside temp just randomly. At 5 miles it went into I think "air-lock" and over heated. I stopped for 25 minutes. Once cool I added 1/2 gallon of coolant direct into the radiator! The reservoir was full to the very top. With my flashlight the lower radiator hose looked bulged, but like the upper hose only a 2yr old hose. The $17 thermostat (just were lower radiator hose connects on a '97 Subaru Legacy L wagon and it was only 2 days old. Also the upper hose was empty and hot. I drove another 12 miles home at 65mph yet 2 times the temp needle started moving up then went back down on its own. Do you know what all that means? Thanks! Oh, have you heard of that technology that pumps air into the cooling system to locate problems? It will cost $75. I'm thinking of going to a junk yard and bringing a used radiator to my appointment on Wed 11-1-17. I spent about $2,000 on it last spring through a home garage mechanic. I now learned never spend more than the car is worth if you were to sell it. Have you heard of that?
Thanks Eric. My car gets too hot too soon in heavy traffic. My mechanic checked it out thoroughly and said everything was working like it is supposed to. His advice was to run the a/c on low so I could keep those fans turning. I had not been doing that for fear that it would overload the engine and make the problem worse. Thanks for verifying his advice.
Dude I can't thank you enuf, I drive Lincoln Mark viii with the 4.6l motor and this is a common issue with this motor, most mechanics in my area hate working on these cars, I don't get how you can explain it so simple that I can now go do it myself, wow, I love your videos, you don't yak about nonsense, you get right to the heart of the matter, I hope you get an endorsement from somebody, I love your passion. Great job keep teaching.
Skill level : Pure Genius
If this guy were a heart surgeon, I could do my own with his video
The difference between a heart surgeon and a mechanic is, a mechanic can fix a motor with it off. Heart Surgeons have to fix them when they are running...
Two In The Pink One In The Stink what if they really dont. who knows what is possible, everything we know is by design, were completely brainwashed. COMPLETELY!
They actually stop the heart and use a machine to circulate the blood. It would be really a neat trick to repair a heart valve with it beating!!!
thank the god we dont have subsidized mechanics yet
S.O.C_91 same
You explain things so clearly for a self help leveled mechanic lol thanks for the help :)
Check the coolant "inside" the radiator 1st... Mine was 2 cups low, and
caused overheating going slow uphill. Thought it was my fan clutch at
first, so I went & bought one. Then I Checked the coolant reservoir,
which had plenty in it. Then I watched this video & went to
visually check "inside" the radiator. Nothing to see. Added coolant
& it runs cool again. Now if I can get my $$$ from the auto-parts
store.. I might need a new cap... THX for posting this !
I am sitting a 200mile away from civilization with a car steaming from the reservoir at 2:11am and viola!, you made me troubleshoot the problem!
So kind of you Eric! - the world need people like you, who work hard and share the wisdom.
Wishing you a very cheerful New Year and great time with the machines.
Best Regards
Biju
Eric, great explanations and showing us what to look for when the part works and doesn’t. Thank you for the valuable information, summary at the end and your efforts in creating this video. Well done!
You’re the man, Eric. Thanks for this. Best UA-cam mechanic out there
1992 lesabre cooling system air bleed tutorial
GREAT VIDEO! This guy makes things very easy to understand . explains all the details and walks you through all the process and activity in a very clear understandable visual way.. also very good clear video quality. this is all explained in a very down to earth way that simplifies this task to any level person that wants to DYI! nice to discover, hope to see more videos! thanks
There's also the possibility of a stuck thermostat which I've seen caused overheating in warm weather. This dude is the sort of friend everyone without a ton of cash to employ a repair shop, needs.
Yes and no. You can drive on a bad thermostat for years. I know this because I did on 3 cars until I got tired of not having heat in the winter then I replaced them.
I really appreciate you taking the time to produce these helpful videos.
When my car is overheating, I immediately check the oil. If it looks like chocolate milk, that’s coolant in the motor.
Here’s a tip.
When I’m going to buy a used car, the first thing I inspect is under the oil filler cap. If I see a jelly goo like substance, I walk away from the car. That means the car has overheated and cooling fluid was in the motor.
Nope! Many times a milkshake in the oil cap is CONDENSATION. Vehicles with short drive time do this often.
one thing not mentioned is to check for CLOGS, if someone mixed to types of coolant they could gel up and clog the system, or if the system is just horribly UN-maintained you could have a build up of sludge, in GM cars we call it Dex-Sludge and a gunked up cooling system can have reduced efficiency. that one you replaced in the video looked pretty gunked up.
Or customer used Radiator Sealer in an attempt to seal a leak, instead of fixing it properly and gumming up the system...ugh! Huge pet peeve of mine!
Cuba Rodriguez
Patrick Miller
LOL...What's up Pat?
Craziest thing I have ever found to be cause of overheating.
The block was half full of sediment.
I added a double dose of super-flush the system ran it twice as long as the minimum required. I started the truck and did the flush till it came out crystal clear. I then drove around on the highway that circles the city. Roughly 30 miles at 65 (+)MPH with another double dose of super flush. I modified a flush unit with a ball valve so I could attach a garden hose to the heater hose while the truck was running under pressure and hot. I then did another flush till it cam out crystal clear.
Now that everything was clean I replaced the radiator, hoses. thermostat and all the little things needed. The cleaning opened up a small leak in one of the freeze plugs.I drove it a while and it still overheated. When I popped out the freeze plug there was sediment almost to the top of them. I took out all the freeze plugs and ran a garden hose with a pressure nozzle and a wet dry vacuum. I pulled out about 3 quarts of sediment.
The bottom of the cylinders were packed with sediment so the water couldn't circulate causing the coolant to boil. If the flushing hadn't caused the freeze plug to leak This would have taken a lot longer to find.
I don't understand how that much sediment filled the block
Yes. I have encountered this over the 40 years I have been an ASE Certified Tech. Although a significant amount of sediment can accumulate, you are correct that not that much sediment would collect (presuming that the system had coolant in it and not just straight water). I have found the culprit is what was at one time the temporary cure for radiator leaks. A product of powdered metallic called Stop Leak. Whatever metallic powder product is not used to seal up a leak in a radiator or freeze plug that was leaking will eventually wind up in two places. The first spot is it collects in the block at the bottom of the water jackets. Secondly and somewhat equally, it will collect in the bottom of the radiator. Eventually after repeated and almost habitual use, the water jacket fills up with the product combined with sediment and basically shrinks the engines cooling jackets to the point where I have seen the product clear up to the cylinder heads, and the block was left with nearly no circulation at all.
It just goes to show you that the quick fix is exactly and only just that, and can cause greater problems with continued use.
Thanks eric, great video. i'm a mechanic and I learned a thing or two.
Great presentation skills, camera work, flow, and you are a polished presenter. Like a rock star man! Subscribed!
Maybe then you can help me diagnose my car!
You are doing a great job presenting everything! Way to go, man!
The best source of information about automotive maintenance and repairs that currently exist on planet earth.
Great video - Thanks! My daughter's car is overheating...This is a big help...
Danielle Moreau (And you are pretty darn handsome to boot... :-) )
Too bad all mechanics aren't like Eric and give a damn. Most mechanics nowadays just read codes and change parts, it's not their money so what's it matter, this is how all mechanics should think/diagnose, in a perfect world I'm sure, but it's a shame we all can't take our cars to an Eric the car guy who we can trust and know he's knowledgeable and isn't gonna throw parts at it until we're broke, and the damn thing doesn't run any better than it did! Hey Eric, instead of ase certified, we want etcg certified mechanics! Start a school and teach these idiots to give a damn.. Dammit! Lol
Do u have a mini cooper i have 2005 and am facing some pd can u help
Koch 40, I couldn't agree more! ETCG TECH. And ETCG certified!
Agree! Just spent 1500 on mine and still overheating. Thermostat, relays,cap and water pump plus more replaced already. So frustrated!!
Jackie Marie have you checked temperature sensor? I was told that this temperature sensor can give false overheating alarms after a real overheating condition happened and was addressed already (new parts like you did). Does it make sense? An experienced technician told me this.
Yes ' you are right ,,, 👍
Even in aircraft maintenance ,
we call it / them " R&R mechanic " ,
he just keep remove and replace
parts till problem solved .
This guy is freaking awesome! Thank you for being so real and sincere as well as informative! Also thank you for breaking it down in a way we all can understand
I am just a regular Joe and I have to tell anyone pissing with coolant and radiators you must buy a "spill free funnel" it will help you soooooo much it makes this situation so easy I look forward to using it, it helped me find I had a blown head gasket, it also help with replacing block heater plug, water pump, thermostat and fluid change it help bleeding air easy peasy!!!!
My brother helped me yesterday to change the water pump, and the battery, and it was an all dayer. Did not know to bleed air from said lines. Now, that being said, I think it's time to have some initiative and learn how all this stuff in the engine works. Not sure why I always found that intimidating, but taking those things apart yesterday, cam interested in learning now. I found your video interesting, thorough, informative, and insightful. Thank you. Fingers crossed fir my 3.9 old Dodge Dakota
》》sp》》became
I think you forgot to mention the temperature sensor that controls the relay that controls the fan
Hi Louis puglisi, That was what I was concerned about. Because I changed out the hoses that were bad & I recharged w/refrigerant then in 1 week no air came out the vents so all I could figure out was that the temperature control sensor was bad. Am I right? Cuz the gauges show hot but it's not hot at all irs normal hot temp. What u think?
I have oldsmobile cutlass ciera 1994 3.1 I changed the coolant thermostas hoses and rad cap but when car idle or stop on traffic for long the temperature gauge will pass the half and fan is working but its kicking on late is that the coolant temperature sensor
@greg bishop true bro after the flush nowy radiator is leaking I got change it
Yes . probably thas is why the 916👎 . I liked this video and I clicked 👍.
And he forgot to mention a stuck closed thermostat.
Great video- U just missed the water pump failure.
you don't have to systematically troubleshoot water pump failure. I just replaced one, believe me, when they go out, they scream at you and there is no need to troubleshoot simply replace the darn thing.
Broken impellor shaft at the impellor or destroyed plastic impellor won't do this.
@@lostrambler1 Not always. Thats only a bearing failure. Impellor fin damage is silent and common
Oil for 97 Chevyt
I agree, I was expecting Eric to say something about the water pump, but I believe to test that, you can just turn on the heat in your car, if it blows hot, water pump is most likely good…I think ;-)
For the layman auto mechanic, Eric, the proper term for that "upside-down horse-shoe-looking thing" is the Greek letter capital omega. it stands for the electrical/electronic word "ohm" or "ohms."
How. to fix the leak in the thermostat housing of nissan sentra what is kind of silicone to need to used.
Oooo u soo smart
Ohm: Ω named after Georg Simon Ohm, the German physicist, best known for his “Ohm's Law”.
Eric the car guy is exactly what a lay person needed to resolve my problem. Learned so many other things as well, which is a bonus. Thanks bro. I owe you a HJ or BJ, no expiration so hit me up when you need it.
Eric knows what's up. I learn something new every time I watch him or if I need help on understand the issue on my car. Thanks you Eric the car guy. As you always say. STAY SAFE AND STAY DIRTY. 🙂🙂🙂
OMG dude how i wish your shop was down the street from me lol, some great stuff you put up eric, without you i'd be getting hustled! Thanks dude!
My car temperature keeps going up to the h but it’s not overheating and we change the switch and thermostat and it’s still doing that what’s going on am scared to drive it with gauge going up, it goes all the way up and then comes back down
Thank you for the detailed information. I did all the tests mentioned here and unfortunately I found a leak in the combustion chamber. I changed my engine with a new one. Honda civic 03.
Lol you didn't have to buy a new engine just replace the head gasket & shave heads
+RzVids the new one cost me 300$ with the installation, The repair will cost around 100$ and the engine will never come back to normal.
Ouch! Worse case scenario no doubt.
btw: where do you get an engine replaced for $300? I need to meet your mechanic.
+Green Genes not in the US :D
Could you do a pressure test on a vehicle with no radiator cap like the Chevy Sunfire and Cavalier through the reservoir?
Great video. It saved me $800. I figured out that the radiator cap valve was bad. It was bleeding into the reservoir but not sucking back into the radiator. A mechanic tried to tell me I needed a head gasket changed and was going to charge me $800.
This is an outstanding and comprehensive video regarding "TROUBLESHOOTING OVERHEATING"!!
this video is amazing, I wish I could thank you in real life
One of the best videos you're simply great Erick
Very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
(7:23) - I have a 2011 Dodge GC. The coolant temp rises when the AC is on, but scales back when AC is off.
AC on - Temp fluctuates 219 to 224+ (rarely to 230 - and rarely down to 213) - stays at an average of 222 most of the time.
I thought perhaps it needed coolant.
I put some in.
And right now it's idling.
The temp is fluctuating 212 to 219 - (but again, it's just idling).
A few days back, the vehicle had a hose blow, and my usual mechanic found the leak (gaping hole) - This was fixed.
But now today, this.
It's Sunday night.
I'll take it back Monday to get it checked.
Your video here is excellent.
Hoo yes your information on car overheating was very use full and now i can find out in my tractor trailer why it is over heating even when the fan is working
GREAT VIDEO OF COURSE ALL YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT LEARN A LOT VERY COMPLETE YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I MEAN THE CAR GUY :-)
thank you for your videos sir, youre a legend :)
Loved the video... :)
Just a question, could you fix mines?
You make it sound simple enough for a female. Thank you!
Mines? He is a car repair man. Why would you need to repair a mine? The explosive kind is too dangerous to repair and likely needs to be completely de activated and destroyed. A gold or diamond mine would be a completely different type of repair job than an automobile.
Not ALL females 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Eric does a Great Job of Explaining everything in Laymen’s terms for a simpleton like myself to understand. Love The Content And Keep Up The Great Work
Great vid, should have also mentioned a faulty water pump and also a faulty alternator can cause overheating if the bearing are worn and stuck !
Omg if I’m on the highway or driving for a long time without stopping it’ll overheat but if I️ stop it’ll cool down
Heater trick literally saved my life. Driving downtown with wife pregnant, and cooling fans failed...
time for me to get a block head tester =(
Eric, you missed a few things. Collapsing or blocked hoses, slipping belt, rotted impeller (mentioned).
I've got a strange one that I'd love your thoughts on: 1998 Dakota 5.2, a billion miles, bought as a backup vehicle. Mechanical fan, thermal clutch. Overheats slowly at idle, but runs cool at speed. Fan turns correct direction and moves alot of air, sounds like a jet engine when 190+ degrees. Shroud is in good condition, fan and shroud seem positioned well, decent seal to radiator. I flushed system, used rust remover flush to clean the block, replaced all hoses (not pinched or collapsing), t'stat with a 195* Stant, replaced belt, tensioner, replaced radiator, cleaned out overflow, replaced cap (16 lbs), filled with 50% "universal" green coolant.
It STILL overheats at idle, although it takes a little longer, temp climbs slower. In 90 to 100 deg air temps it climbs slowly to 220 and keeps going. If I hold the rpm at 2000, fan sounding like a jet engine, the coolant temp very slowly drops to normal.
The only thing I can think of now is the water pump. Possible rotted impeller? I tried to check flow with cap off at temp, but difficult to do and poor results. Very little movement. Revving does a little, but not much. Oh, and coolant looks clean and no froth or bubbles to indicate air trapped or head gasket, etc. Laser temp gun test at normal operating temp showed 195 deg top hose dropping to about 140 deg into the lower hose. Yes, I've verified its overheating, not a bad gauge or sender.
It looks like the pump's been changed before since there's orange gasket sealer poking out around it, but no idea when. Its got about 300k miles on the truck total.
Thoughts? I bought a hi flow water pump and hi flow tstat that I plan to install next. Is there anything I've missed? What would you do...besides shoot it?
I have to say it, most likely I have before...but whatever. I freaking LOVE your videos! I have learned SO MUCH about fixing my cars, especially my Honda by watching you. I have been subscribed for years. You explain everything clearly, with direction that is easy to understand..plus you give great tips. I always check out your videos first if they apply to the issue I am having. THANK YOU!
A head gasket for my civic costs more than a motor from hmotors.
Hmmm sm1 got way over charged! Buying and replacing entire hg system, cost btwn 85$-190$ at most😞 this includes regular mechanical shop fees
@@donnakay1828 wtf it's like $500 here to get it replace
Come to Oahu and look at my car. I'll pay you $500. Lol. No really. I'm so done. Overheating. Big mess.
Virginia Francis hi virginia how are you,what car do you have and whats the problem, i wish i was in hawaii again to help you, i used to be stationed in oahu, i actually raced stock cars out in ewa beach, cambell industrial park before it closed.
Virginia Francis bad water pump, bad thermostat, old fluid, air in system.
hey! we live on Oahu too and would love to see him also! Maybe if we get enough people together we could pick up the tab for his ticket! Wouldn't that be a great business trip he & could write off? He is such a nice guy and just like the local guys here that try to help when they can.We have an Isuzu 2008 pickup that over heats and can't even find the darn Thermostat to change it! Supposedly same as the Chevy Coronado but I Dunno!?
Eric your absolutely amazing at the way you explain your diagnosis of engine problems and the step by step methods to research the best case scenarios to the worst. Genesis sporadically overheating , great info .
Mine was bubbling in the expansion chamber, so it was a head gasket. I wouldn't normally use stop leak, but the car already had 240,000 miles on it, and just had to last us a couple more months, so I used the stop leak for head gaskets, and it has almost been a year without any more problems. I am amazed that it worked, but am glad that I won't be rebuilding the engine with that mess in it.
Thankyou Eric I have an overheating Lexus diesel on the highway and have both the pressure test kit and CO2 analyzer kit. My fans come on when A/C activated, thermostat appears ok as the radiator hoses hot and pressure up. The car runs ok for a while at correct temp, only after a while does it overheat! Oh and oil is clean with no white exhaust smokeI I suspect head gasket or block issues so we will see. Your video was excellent in detail explanation and method to diagnose so grateful for the time and effort you put into this.
Fascinating how you have a car there with almost everything gone wrong in the cooling chain?
Watched your video and told my brother about it and he solved his overheating problem to his car, Thank you :)
I enjoyed listening to your video learned heaps my car is overheating and it might not be just the thermostat. I just hope it's not the head gasket.
It happened suddenly. About a month ago. I hope it's nothing major.
We were working on a 2006 Lard Rover Range Rover with the 4.4L V8. We found the thermostat housing was cracked, we replaced it, still leaking, replaced the rad after finding pinholes in it, coolant overflow and rad cap came with the Rad. Still overheat, so we took off the water pump, and sure enough it had some small leaks. Replaced it too, just to find out it still wanted to heat up to about 3/4 of the way so we'd stop and it'd cool right off and we'd keep going.
$3,000 later in parts and labour when the owner finally called it quits. My boss didn't want to test for conbustion gasses even though I mentioned it several times. It was overheated at one point to cause some of these issues, others just being wear from 280k miles.
Before we put a new rad in, I suggested the combustion gasses check but was told not to worry about it. Nearly certain that's what was causing it because almost everything else had been replaced for the cooling system. There was no leaks when it left, but wouldn't stay cool on extended drives. 30 minutes and it would go back up.
Note to people looking at buying "cheap used Land Rovers", don't do it. When things break, they get expensive real quick and most shops will just repair the first issues they see rather than going in depth to check everything.
Thanks Eric. I have a 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5. that only raises the temperature gauge to almost max when I travel up hills. I'm gonna do what you said in this video. I will check back if I can diagnos the problem. Thanks for your great info. Your very thorough and knowledgeable.
My son had an '06 Honda CRV and he said it was not running right so I drove it and found out that when driving with a lot of start and stop traffic it seemed to want to die but when I was on the interstate it was fine and the AC was blowing cold.
My first thought was that the engine was overheating and when I got it home I discovered that both the fan for the radiator and AC condenser were not working after directly applying 12V to them from my charger.
If a car has an overheating problem I would definitely recommend checking the fans first especially if the coolant is at the appropriate levels and the fans are electrical. If your cooling fans are mechanical and are moving correctly then you may have other issues.
In an electrical fan system, the fans only come on when they need to according to the temperature sensors for the engine and AC systems so if the car is cold they will not run. Always check them with another 12V source that has enough current to run them.
Great video, I would add the choice of Thermostats is important "Slant" is making ones without a release valve on the upper section. "Do not purchase those" get the ones with the release valve on the upper section and install properly so the air can be released from the release valve.
Great informational video. FYI Explorers and Mountaineers 2006-2010 have a cooling system operating pressure of 20psi. Results in a lot of radiator failures.
Hello Eric, Great video once more, i bought a Accord cl9 a year ago a month later started overheating, i filled coolant and tried to bleed the air out but air would keep coming out so i thought HG was bad, just to ensure i bought that blue liquid tester and it became yellow so the HG was indeed bad, i changed water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, head gasket, resurfaced head on CNC and block with a homemade oldschool patent, new engine bolts with 1x extra 90° turn, HG sprayed with copper spray, changed radiator temp coolant sensor , fans working 100%, car was fine for 4 months after i repaired it but than the problem came back again, i had overheating and my radiator went bad (had a hole somewhere and maybe with the time even if it was repaired it was slowly draining and problem came back) recently changed radiator but didnt bled the air out properly(either didnt bled enough air out or the HG is bad again and shoves air into the coolant AGAIN...) so far have no overheating issues but at cold starts i can hear the heater core burpling and i still have to add little coolant to fill radiator, at the e-store where they sell those blue liquid testers they suggest to drain the coolant out of the system and add pure water to have a correct result, i saw in your video you probably did the test with coolant in system, is that ok? I havent made a pressure test yet, i would be really happy to get some feedback from you and excuse me for the huge message :)
You forgot ONE thing, broken water pump. Similar symptoms to blocked radiator, outgoing hose is hot, hose at the bottom is cold since the pump dont manage to pump water through the radiator. Just had one of those cars :)
On sumup You forgot cooling cap.
REALLY good walkthrough for non mechanics, even for me, I didnt know the exact function of the cooling cap except keeping it pressurized and allowing overheat system to vent
Awesome job explaining in a simple straightforward manner! This is probably been commenting on but I didn't hear any comments regarding water pump failure such as the impeller breaking which I had happen once. Highly recommend
I wonder why i didn't see this video before my totally useless change of the ECT Sensor, thanks Eric for the tip of the hoses temperature, I found that the problem is the termostat. You Rock.
Javier from Argentina, Civic 2007.
Really good info, One thing I didn't know was how you can run your a/c while the car is running and the radiator fans are suppose to kick on.
great video Eric I also wanted to add another over heating problem that's over looked that would be the water pump I've seen water pump's fail and cause over heating. I did every procedures you talked about on your video then I thought about checking the water pump took it apart found out it was free wheeling and it wasn't spinning the fins besides that your doing a great job keep up the good work.
Eric.... I really appreciate your logical systematic troubleshooting... Wish i had u for my mechanic... God Bless
If you replace the radiator, replace the cap with an OEM cap. It's too important not to. And if you have an older car, and you have no leaks, full of coolant, pressure test ok, replace the radiator as the passages have probably narrowed over time due to buildup. Learned this, and many, many, other lessons from the school of hard knocks, and trial and error.
Another fantastic video! I thought I had seen all of your old videos, but I don't remember seeing this one until now. Thanks, Eric!!!