An overheating engine is a countdown. Every minute the gauge sits in the red, the head gasket and cylinder head get closer to failure. We pressure-test the cooling system, find the leak or the failed part — thermostat, radiator, hose, fan, water pump, cap — and fix it where the car sits so you're not driving it hot to a shop.
Signs you need overheating & cooling system repair
- Temperature gauge climbing or warning light
- Sweet smell or steam from under the hood
- Coolant puddle under the car
- Heater blows cold while the engine runs hot
- Coolant reservoir is empty or overflowing
What we do on site
- Pressure-test the system and inspect for leaks
- Check thermostat operation and fan function
- Replace the failed component — hose, thermostat, radiator, fan, cap, or pump
- Flush contaminated coolant and refill with the correct type
- Bleed air, run to temperature, and verify the fan cycles
Doing this in a driveway
Radiators, hoses, thermostats, and fans are all driveway work. If the head gasket is already gone, we'll test for it and tell you before you spend money on anything else.
Parts we use
Radiator, hoses, thermostat, cooling fan, radiator cap, expansion tank, coolant.
Pricing: Ranges from a cheap thermostat to a moderate radiator job; we quote after the pressure test. Every job is quoted in writing before we start, and there's no upsell — how our pricing works.
FAQ
Overheating & Cooling System Repair: common questions
Can I drive an overheating car to a shop?
Please don't. That's exactly the trip that warps a head. Shut it off, let it cool, and call us. We come to the car.
How do you know if the head gasket is blown?
Chemical block test for exhaust gas in the coolant, checking for milky oil, and watching for white sweet-smelling exhaust. It takes minutes and it's the first thing we do on a car that's been run hot.