Overheating after having the starter replaced

ANNA GREENWOOD

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CRV
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
196,000 MILES

I just had the starter replaced today. Driving home from the shop the temperature gauge went all the way up to the red. Turned off the vehicle, checked the coolant and it was full. Engine was hot to the touch but the radiator/cap was cold. Left the vehicle for twenty minutes, checked the coolant and the over flow container was empty. Filled it up and drove the rest of the way home. Temperature gauge was reading a little hotter than normal but not in the red.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

First observe if the radiator fan turns on when the overheating occurs, especially if it only occurs at lower speeds. After that, the next suspect is a leaking cylinder head gasket. If combustion gases get into the cooling system, that will prevent the thermostat from opening. The clue is the coolant will not be flowing, so the radiator and cap will not be very hot.

Your mechanic can perform a chemical test at the radiator to check for a leaking head gasket. That involves drawing air from the radiator, while the engine is running, through a glass cylinder with two chambers with a special dark blue liquid. If combustion gases are present, the liquid will turn bright yellow.