Your engine produces far more heat than it can use. The cooling system carries that heat away: the water pump circulates coolant through the engine, the thermostat controls how much goes to the radiator, and the radiator and cooling fans release the heat into the air. The same hot coolant also feeds your heater core.
Coolant systems are part of Anywhere Automotive's service menu, and cooling systems are one of the specialties Mike Babcock mastered during his years as a technician.
Signs of a cooling system problem
- The temperature gauge reads higher than normal or a warning light comes on
- A sweet smell or puddles of green, orange or pink fluid under the car
- Steam from under the hood
- Coolant level that keeps dropping
- A weeping or noisy water pump, or a heater that blows cold
What we check and repair
We pressure-test the cooling system to find leaks, check the radiator cap, test the thermostat and cooling fans, and inspect hoses for softness or swelling. A water pump leaking from its weep hole or with a wobbling shaft is replaced before it fails completely.
We also test the coolant itself. Worn-out coolant loses its corrosion protection, which can damage the radiator, heater core and water pump from the inside. A coolant service with the correct type for your engine prevents that.
Driving in Concord and Contra Costa County
Long climbs on Highway 24 and Highway 4 on hot summer afternoons, with the A/C running, are exactly when a marginal cooling system gives up. If your gauge creeps up on grades, have it checked before the next heat wave.
Questions about cooling system & water pump
Can I drive my car if it is overheating?
No. Pull over safely, turn off the engine and let it cool. Driving an overheating engine can warp the cylinder head or damage the head gasket. Call our 24-hour line for advice.
Should the water pump be replaced with the timing belt?
On engines where the timing belt drives the water pump, replacing both together often saves labor. We will tell you if that applies to your engine.
Published by Anywhere Automotive, Concord, CA. Diagnosis and pricing are confirmed after inspection.