Overheating. Just replaced radiator and thermostat, but still hasn't fixed the problem.

100

Asked by Laura Jul 23, 2013 at 06:17 AM about the 2002 Hyundai Accent GL Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car overheated the other day, and it was leaking coolant horribly. I got a new radiator, which stopped the leaking, but the car was still overheating so then we tried replacing the thermostat but it is overheating even now. I spent my entire check on getting those things fixed, what now? I just got paid again but don't have much to spare towards getting it fixed, so I need to make it count. What can I do myself to find the issue? I'm not very handy with tools, and will need a pretty thorough explanation. Thanks if you can help!

45 Answers

210

Check your engine oil, if it looks milky on the dip stick you have cracked the head, water is getting into your engine, to fix the head has to come of.

16 people found this helpful.
210

Also, make shore the fan belt is still on, this may be way it overheated in the first place.

5 people found this helpful.
100

okay, the engine oil was fine. I'm going to check the belt when I get home, but wouldn't it have been something the guy noticed when he put my radiator in?

10 people found this helpful.

there is a little "straw" that returns the coolant into the top of the reservoir jug...seen that little tube fall of into the reservoir bottle...causing the overheat for lack of coolant flow~ pop open the translucent bottle and see if the "return" straw is dippin' down into the reservoir jug...this is an important 7 cent bit of plastic which will cause your overheat if not present~

39 people found this helpful.
160

Hey Laura, did you ever get it fixed, and what was causing the overheating? Thanks KM

12 people found this helpful.
760

I have replaced the radiator, water pump, it still run hot. I took out the thermostat and it still run hot when you drive it any distance. The temperature gauge return to normal when it is setting still and running. Help I'm at a lost to the problem.

76 people found this helpful.
310

Did you ever find the cause of this? I am currently experiencing the same problem. Replaced radiator, thermostat, and water pump. Still over heating. But cools down when sitting still

31 people found this helpful.
210

Am in experiencing the same problem.My car is overheating when especially am stuck in the traffic. Please assist i love my Hyundai

21 people found this helpful.
520

I have the same issue. Sent it to 2 workshops but they said that they cannot replicate the problem in order to rectify it. Symptoms are similar. Temperature is within the two "dots" when the car is still with the AC on. However once I run the car at 80 - 90 km/h for more than 30 minutes with the AC on, the temperature gauge moves upward - almost to the red line if I don't turn off the AC. If I don't run the AC, I will still "red-line" in temperature if I run 100 - 110 km/h for more than 1/2 hour. Have done an engine overhaul, radiator change, belt change, tubing change etc. Anyone overcome this? I am stumped and so too are the Hyundai service centre people.

42 people found this helpful.
130

I have the same problem, When I drive, it is good, when I am stopped or traffic, it gets so hot. I do not get it because the computer says that everything is fine.

13 people found this helpful.
85

Usually when car is starting to overheat it is also a good idea to either stop and let car cool down about 30 mins and what works for me is to BLAST the heater until it goes down or stays down until I get to my destination. It can be horrible and sweaty if you stay in a hott area, but I have done it even in Phoenix and now in Socal. I too am experiencing overheating temp gauge and just replaced engine, radiator, and have a tiny hole in A/C condenser in which, I will reference back to what works and lasted for 4yrs which, was to put stop leak in and then add Freon to get A/C working and blowing cold and not cool air. I will be checking to see if the temp gauge problem is any/all of these below: Low coolant, fans Radiator and A/C if working properly (clogged or dirty), then thermostat, bad sensor or water pump and heater core flushed. will let you know what I find out.

7 people found this helpful.
180

Duncan and Towlee, did either of you figure out what the problem was? I have a Hyundai too (Tiburon GT) and it just started doing exactly what you guys described. I have checked my fluids (oil, ect...) Was a quart low on oil, refilled it. I checked radiator level and it maybe took 20-30 ounces of fluid to refill. But it still kept overheating. I changed out the thermostat (with the right part) but even still it's running hot. The water pump is good, head gaskets good, radiator is in one piece... But I'm totally stumped. On the highway, it will run hot and I have to ease off to get it to drop. I turn on the vents to try and help cool through the heater core, but it spikes temp higher. I can sit at an idle with the A/C going, but if u drive with it, it will spike. And to kick on heater does not help at all. I know what a cracked head will do to a car (had a Cavalier that i killed when i was younger) and know what to watch out for... But this Hyundai is driving me nuts with "mixed signels". I have not had problem with my overflow either. What's that about? Shouldn't a "Normal" car actually boilbover if it's overheating? I absolutely love my Tib, but this car is more complicated than me. Lol

15 people found this helpful.
140

I'm having same problem with daughters car I've changed radiator and removed thermostat I drove it a while ago it blew out my top hose

14 people found this helpful.
520

Hi all. After another unsuccessful trip to another Hyundai service centre, I have resolved my situation by: 1) Topped off the A/C gas to make sure the A/C compressor is not overworked to cool the car down. 2) Flushed my radiator. 3) Drive only between 80 - 100km/h with the A/C on. 4) The moment the temperature goes up, I turn off the A/C. 5) When it returns to "normal" I turn on the A/C again. So far, this has been working. When I am idling, I turn off the A/C (or turn it on intermittently so that the temperature does not increase). In a tropical country, this is tough! There was a mechanic who used to work @ the Hyndai service centre before who told me that he had to "reset a switch" for the thermostat to work right. When I informed the new technician, he sounded perplexed with this comment and said that there was no such thing. I have taken the car out to non Hyundai service centres as well but they too can't resolve it. Hence my modified driving style to not redline the temperature gauge. I hope this helps. Will post more if I do find a solution or find a person who fixes the problem. T.

10 people found this helpful.
160

Yes, Im experiencing the same all of sudden the temperature rise. i have change so many things, the Water Pump, Thermostat, Gaskets and service my radiator. Lastly, there is one uncle in Bandar Sri Permaisuri look at my car and that time the temperature shows at the redline. But the uncle looks cool and say to me not to worry, if the temperature really got hot the water should be in boiling sound and the engine top should be in red in colour then. Second he off the engine and start the car back. The meter shows in the middle. He says where got engine got hit up and start back can go to normal on few seconds. He also said if over heating the car will not start at all. so he recommend me to check the car wiring , the speedometer panel ( dashboard) and sensor at engine. so i did change the sensor ( cost me RM 130) , the problem still persist, later i check the wiring ( rm 50) , the problem still persist. So finally i change the meter panel at the dashboard ( RM 400.00) then the problem got a away ... i really spent rm 4-5k instead of spending onlt few hundreds... The workshop mechanics says this may happen because of sensors and electronics problems. Whatever my problem is solve now...

16 people found this helpful.
195

make sure to burp the car bleeding the air out if you don't it will OVERHEAT

19 people found this helpful.
90

I got my share of experience also... I checked my oil level and have the radiator cleaned and still, the same problem until I have checked the radiator cap which I found defective and need to be replaced... Problem no more!

9 people found this helpful.
60

I am having the same problem with my car it's not overheating anymore it's smoking a lil then cut off but start rite back up

6 people found this helpful.
70

The water in water tank is burning, max overheating, and the pipe from water tank to the cooler is also extremly hot, water its not going in the cooler, any idea, whats the problem, hyundai accent 97

7 people found this helpful.
50

Definitely look into burping your vehicle cooling system. There may be air in the system. This was my problem. Also consider that there may be gunk in the cooling system as it works in a circular motion and one area of blockage can affect the whole system. This can be resolved by an evasive cooling system flush.

5 people found this helpful.
50

2011 accent- stalls after vehicle heats up, will not restart until cool again and starts right immediately

5 people found this helpful.
30

WooddogAZ70 is correct, be sure to burp it or it will overheat at idle or with AC running.

3 people found this helpful.
70

We are still having issues with this in my 2005 tuscon. We changed out radiator, thermostat, hoses, pan which was clogged with the stop leak and had to change out pan and hoses from it. Still runs hot. NO idea as to what is causing this. Maybe just a flush? worth a try.

7 people found this helpful.
90

having trouble with my 2010 Chevy equinox it was over heating (no smoke) thent i changed the thermostat which was the problem so i thought but it is still over heating slowly tho i dont know how to burp/ bleed the vehicle because it only has a reservoir tank and not a radiator department or a valve that i can open PLEASE HELP

10 people found this helpful.
30

Had the radiator and thermostat replaced in my chev. venture. Temperature light was in the red. Was told this might not fix the problem, which it has not. Now I have been told it may be something wrong with the engine or head gasket. Can cost a lot of money to fix. Anybody have any ideas.

3 people found this helpful.
20

Try changing your radiator cap i know it sounds silly but it worked for me

2 people found this helpful.
70

For me it was the head of the engine , Apparently gasses were leaking out and heating the coolant ( when i noticed the coolant is bubbling , i figured it had to be the head , and it was )

7 people found this helpful.
20

I’m having the same problems with a 05 Chevy cobalt. I just figured it out and got it fixed. It was of all things the heater core. New radiator changed the thermostat three times. The heater core solved the problems. The only bad thing it’s expensive to get it fixed and if you do it yourself you have to remove the whole dash to get to it in almost any vehicle. Good luck.

2 people found this helpful.
60

NEW RADIATORS COME WITH CAPS ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM IF ONE OR BOTH OF THESE IS NOT REMOVED IT WILL GIT IN YOUR HOSE N BLOCK WATER FLOW,TAKE YOUR HOSES OFF N BE SHURE YOU CAN C THROUGH IT,MOST COMMON ON BOTTOM HOSE

6 people found this helpful.
20

Hi I drive a 2006 subaru liberty 3.0r b spec I have brought a new radiator and installed it and it still manages to heat up can u help me

2 people found this helpful.
10

My suggestion to use CoolLine Branded RADIATOR if you are using aftermarket, and you can get replacement warrantee for their products. also use FREEZETONE coolant MADE IN USA, Meantime you have to check the Radiator fan & Water pump is working or not, regards MANOJ

1 people found this helpful.
60

My Kia Sedona 2005 3.5 6 cylinder i replace the radiator and the thermostat in still was overheating i change the cooling heating sensors and the next day early went the car was cool take the radiator cap of and turn the car on the was air in the lines that was my problem the went to 3 lines and thebobbles come out i port antifreeze more and more en tell went to tempt went to less then half i tex drive for more the 1 hr no more overheating.

6 people found this helpful.
80

My cay Hyundai i20 motion 2017 he front right light is now overheat and full over heat inside, which button should I press or what other alternative should I do to remove those steam inside the light. please assist cause now I'm stress I'm thinking maybe I damage something.

5 people found this helpful.
10

Laura the fan on these Is electric not belt driven run the car until it is hot check the fan it should be running and should run for a little bit after you shut off the car. I unplugged mine and run wires from battery to fan no turn bad fan turn heat sensor or fuse. Do check both the under the hood one and. The inside one I do not want you to waste resources on a bad fuse. Best wishes

1 people found this helpful.
10

i have a 99 eclipse 2.0l autom. I changed the thermostat bought thermostat housing bc it was deteriorating fan was unplugged got it all running but it works fine driving for quiet some time but then it hits when setting still the heater quits working goes to fan pretty much and gets almost the the hottest the guage will rise I reve the engine it starts going down drive it it goes down to little under idddle were any vehicle should stay but I cannot figure out why or what the problem is I tried burping it its not the head gasket bc theirs not milkyness in my oil res and idk I smell the coolant fumes in the car all ythe time ik something isn't right and I bet its as simple as 20 dollars but I cant figure it out can anypne that knows Mitsubishi eclipses or cooling on vehicles help me please educate me bc in my area they think its okay but if its overheating it isn't clearly ok. thanks. timc

1 people found this helpful.
10

Could be clogged catalytic converter. That wont allow the exhaust to escape thus building pressure in the engine causing it to overheat. Could be also your plastic guard under engine bay may be gone which wont allow for proper air flow to radiator. One of your radiator hoses could be pinched or collapsed. Your temp sensor for the engine could be fried if it got hot enough. If your car takes green coolant and red is added it will create a gel like substance that wont flow properly so check what kind your car takes.

1 people found this helpful.
20

check the coolant temperature sensor it is used to monitor the temperature of the engine's coolant. I have a hyundai santa fe

2 people found this helpful.

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