Question: A few days ago when I was driving home, my car’s thermometer hit the H, and I think I may have even seen smoke. I’m pretty sure my car was overheating, but I’m nervous about the cost of repairs. How much will it cost to fix an overheating car?
Answer:
The cost to fix an overheated engine can vary widely—from less than $100 to over $1,000. There are a number of components involved in helping cool your engine and car, so you’ll need to find out what caused the problem to get a better idea of the cost.
Common causes of overheating engines—and the cost to repair them
If your vehicle is overheating, some of these issues could be to blame:
Coolant leak
The coolant in your engine travels through hoses as it circulates through your radiator, engine block, and cylinder heads. If any of those components has a crack—or if the gaskets become worn—the coolant could leak out, leading to an overheating engine.
Cost to repair: Your repair costs could be as little as $60–$80 if you need a radiator cap replacement, but they could potentially reach $1,000 or more if the cause is more serious, like a leaking radiator or a blown head gasket.
Low oil
If your oil level is low, your engine parts will generate friction as your motor runs, and your engine could easily overheat as a result.
Cost to repair: If you just need an oil change, you might pay as little as $35. But if you have an oil leak, you could pay anywhere from $150 to $1,000 or more.
Bad thermostat
The thermostat helps the cooling system know whether to send out coolant based on the engine’s temperature. If the thermostat is failing, the engine won’t be able to regulate its temperature, which could lead to excessive temperatures.
Cost to repair: Repairing or replacing a failing thermostat typically costs somewhere between $200 and $500.
Faulty water pump
The water pump helps move the coolant through your engine, so if it’s not working properly, it affects your engine’s ability to regulate the temperature.
Cost to repair: If you need to replace your water pump, it will typically cost $400–$800, depending on your vehicle. If you just need to replace the serpentine belt that runs the water pump, it will probably cost less than $150.
Failing radiator
The radiator pushes coolant through the engine and releases heat through its fins. If the radiator fan isn’t working or the fins are blocked, your engine could overheat.
Cost to repair: Repairing or replacing a radiator can cost up to $900, depending on the vehicle you drive and where you have the work done.
What to do if your car is overheating
If your car’s temperature gauge is reading high, here’s what to do:
- Turn on the heater: Running the heater will help pull some of the heat away from the engine and into the cabin.
- Find a safe place to stop: Safely pull over when you can, and turn off your car. You can help minimize the damage to your vehicle by shutting down the engine as quickly as possible.
- Let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes: Make sure the temperature gauge moves back down into the normal range before you start the car again. Don’t open the hood until the vehicle has cooled—you could be burned by steam or smoke.
- Continue driving the car only after it’s cooled off: Once the engine has cooled, it’s okay to start the vehicle again. If the temperature remains low, you can continue driving to your destination—but be prepared to stop and let the car cool off if it starts to overheat again.
- Have your car checked by a professional immediately: An overheating engine is serious, and neglecting it can cause extensive damage to your vehicle. Don’t ignore this problem for any length of time.
Learn more: Symptoms of engine damage from overheating
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
