How are you determining the engine is running too hot? It takes more than a few minutes to overheat if started cold. If you're seeing bubbles in the reservoir, that suggests a leaking cylinder head gasket and the coolant temperature hasn't reached the point where the radiator fan will turn on. The clue is there won't be any steam associated with those bubbles. Your mechanic can do a chemical test at the radiator to verify a leaking head gasket.
If you DO have a fan problem the overheating will not occur while driving due to the natural air flow through the radiator. Electric fan motors do quit with no warning. They can become open due to worn brushes in the motor or corroded connector terminals, or they can become tight resulting in drawing higher current which will blow a fuse or burn open a fuse link wire. Most electric radiator fans are turned on with a relay. You can use a stretched-out paper clip or piece of wire to bypass it, or, if you don't know which terminals to jump, it is easier to pop the cover off the relay, reinstall it that way, and squeeze the contact. If the fan runs, that proves the motor and wiring to it are okay.
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Sunday, July 21st, 2013 AT 11:13 AM
