Cars engine overheating?

Question

My cars engine keeps overheating. Fluids are ok and dont seem to be leaking. Belts and fans appear ok. When i remove the oil cap steam (or light colored smoke) appears to be coming out of the heads and there is a white residue just inside the rim which makes me think coolant is leaking into the engine. Is it a bad head gasket? Something else entirely maybe? Any info would be appreciated.

Answer 1

if you dont have enough coolant overheats. if you have enough coolant and open the cap after using the car steam will still come out! the block of the engine when you are using the car is up to 800- 1200 degrees! so of course you will have steam.now once everything looks ok that means that either  your "fridge" is dirty with dirt and all of those things that can be on it. try to wash it  out once a week with a hose so all the dirt will go off and if it still happens then you have to go to a technician. that bc either you will need bigger fridge or fan or the thermostat doesnt work properly . good luck though

Answer 2

i would buy an engine block tester from your local parts store in order to find out if you do have a head gasket blown or crack head.it is easy to do just follow the instruction in the kit.  

Answer 3

I haven't ever had a bad head gasket but it sounds like a possibility. I wouldn't rule out oil burning though, burning oil can smoke a bit...most people online will tell you it is blue-grey but the last time I saw burnt oil in one of our cars (with the exception of the 84 Dodge Ram with bad rings) it was because the Jiffy Lube or wherever my family went didn't tighten the oil filter and it was more of a white/light grey

Either way my first suspicion would still be coolant since it is overheating and the color is a closer match to the usual.

Answer 4

99% sure it's your head gasket.  Empty out your radiator, and if you see oil mixed in with the water or coolant, then you can be 100% sure that you blew your head gasket.

Answer 5

You give no vehicle information. If it is a late model with aluminum components this may be normal. Is your gauge showing it is actually overheating? Is there actually coolant mixed with the oil. IE: Oil level reading high on the stick and coolant low. I would consider getting a professional opinion before I condemn it and spend cash needlessly.  

Answer 6

more likely is head gasket..sorry

Answer 7

Go to a RADIATOR SHOP, not an auto repair, and get it checked. Sounds like a radiator problem. NEVER replace any part till you KNOW the problem.

Answer 8

My guess, a blown head gasket. But before you run with it, do some checking first. Take out the spark plug and crank the engine. See if any water comes out of the opening.

But first check your dip stick. If the oil level his higher than normal, you are accumulating water in the crankcase.

Answer 9

It could be a head gasket, but I wouldn't commence to replace it on that idle conjecture. It could be a bad thermostat or a clogged radiator, too. Take it to a competent shop who will guarantee their work for a diagnosis and estimate.

Answer 10

If it is a GM V-6 your upper plenum intake gasket is starting to go, anything else and it is probably a head gasket.

Second issue like this tonight.

Good Luck!