What the cooling system does
An engine makes far more heat than it can use. The cooling system carries that heat away: the water pump pushes coolant through the engine, the thermostat decides when it’s hot enough to send to the radiator, the radiator sheds the heat into the air, and a fan helps when you’re sitting still. The same coolant heats your cabin in winter.
When any one of those parts quits, the engine temperature climbs quickly. Overheating is one of the fastest ways to do serious damage to an engine, which is why small cooling problems are worth fixing early.
Signs of a cooling system problem
- A temperature gauge reading higher than normal, or a temperature warning light
- Steam from under the hood
- A sweet smell after driving
- Green, orange or pink fluid under the front of the car
- A low coolant light, or having to top it off between services
- A heater that blows cold
- A squeal or grinding from the front of the engine, which can be a water pump on its way out
If your car is overheating right now
Pull over when it’s safe and shut the engine off. Don’t open the radiator cap while it’s hot, because the system is under pressure and the coolant can scald. Let it cool, then call us at (425) 778-1177. Driving on an overheated engine is how a hose repair becomes an engine repair.
What we repair
- Radiators: leak repair and replacement
- Water pumps
- Thermostats
- All hoses, including heater hoses and their clamps
- Radiator and cooling fans
- Coolant exchange, with the type of coolant your car calls for
- Pressure testing to find leaks you can’t see
Coolant doesn’t last forever
Coolant does more than carry heat. It protects the inside of the engine and radiator from corrosion, and that protection wears out. Most makers call for a coolant exchange at set intervals, and it’s part of scheduled maintenance on most cars.
One more tie-in: on many engines the water pump is driven by the timing belt, so it makes sense to replace both together. See timing belt replacement. And if the only symptom is no heat, our car heater repair page is the place to start.