I drove only a short distance (5 miles or less) when I noticed that my temp gauge was well above the red. I pulled over and the engine was smoking a little bit. So i let the car cool down for a while - maybe 30 minutes - and then checked the coolant. There was no coolant so i added about a gallon and proceeded to drive home.

On my drive home, the car again proceeded to overheat. I fortunately made it home and parked. When I parked and turned the car off, i heard some banging-like noises coming from under the hood. I went under the hood to see what was going on - looks like the coolant was boiling over, and there is a small leak.

What should I do for this? I suspected a small leak before, but it hadn't cause any problems until now. I was obviously out of fluid during the first instance of overheating, but when i drove home, i had filled it back with antifreeze. What else could be the problem?

I would really appreciate any help. Fortunately, I don't have work tomorrow, but i need to get her up and running by tuesday so I can get to work.

 

First of all check for coolant in the oil if the engine was overheated severely the cylinder head could be warped or the head gasket blown but those are both worst case senarios. From what you described it sound like maybe the thermostat stuck or froze not allowing coolant to flow.

I would go ahead and change the thermostat it's low cost and fairly easy to install then try to determine where the leak is coming from. Also make sure the drive belt for the water pump isn't loose or slipping.

there are many other things to check fan clutch, Water pump and radiator for good coolant flow, But thermostat and refill is the best place to start in my opinion

 

Thanks so much for your advice! It turns out it was the thermostat afterall. Phew! Glad to get that resolved!

 

I don't think you're out of the woods yet. They were two BIG overheating events, right after each other.
Keep a close eye on your coolant and oil levels.

Regards, Andrew.

 

so i ended up replacing the thermostat and radiator, as well as 4 fan belts while i was in there.

it drove fine for a day, but just last night the engine started to have problems turning over. it took me several tries until the car finally started.

today, i can't get the engine to turn over at all. it's been parked over night, so this is not a hot start up issue.

do you think there was damage to the engine bc of the overheating? any ideas?

thanks again for everyone who's contributed. i appreciate it!

 

95% chance head gasket has gone. Don't try to turn it over till you have diagnosed/had it diagnosed.

Regards, Andrew.

 

A couple of good preliminary tests would be to check for coolant in the oil it will have a milky color and do a good compression test with all the spark plugs removed.

If there is coolant in the oil or your compression isnt roughly even on all cylinders then it's most likely a head gasket issue. If you have to remove the head have it checked to make sure it isn't warped or distorted.