Hi,
I have a Subaru, for the last month it has been overheating in a matter or minutes. My antifreeze was leaking so we fixed that, but it keep s doing it. Basically I will be driving for 15 minutes with the needle right in the middle and in a matter of seconds it would be all the way on the top.
My mechanic says I need to replace the head gasket, but I can afford the $2000 he’s charging me for that. Do you think it could be anything else?
Thanks
Caroline
Hello there Caroline,
First thing you need to do is find another mechanic, second thing is to get a “cooling system pressure test†to insure you do not have any more leaks in the system. A pressure test should also tell you if you have a head gasket leak or not too. If a mechanic does not perform a simple pressure test…they are not really a mechanic.
- I would check the electric cooling fan to make sure they are working properly, (causes overheating while car is sitting still or in slow moving traffic)
- I would check the antifreeze circulation to make sure there is not a restriction in the system like from a rusty clogged up radiator.
- I would check the thermostat and make sure it is opening and closing properly
- I would make sure this is not an inside gauge problem, and no real over heating is taking place
Here is more on the subject
What causes my car to over heat?
Blessings,
Austin Davis