# Overheating after repairs **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** gaskets, overheating, eclipse, mitsubishi\ **Created:** [January 13, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482 "2010-01-13T19:59:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/1 "2010-01-13T19:59:36Z")
My 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse continues to overheat (though not to the extreme that it did before) after replacing the head gasket and thermostat. What now? ---
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/2 "2010-01-14T16:21:08Z")
Looking for a bump up. I’ve only got a couple days coming up where I can do any sort of work on the car. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/3 "2010-01-14T20:18:56Z")
Under what conditions does it overheat? Does the temp fluctuate at all - when you’re driving, idling or otherwise? Have you checked the operation of the cooling fan(s)? Is the radiator maybe clogged up? Was the cooling system completely purged of air? Did the thermostat go in the right way (it is sometimes easy to get it in backwards). ---
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/4 "2010-01-14T20:44:45Z")
It always overheats after it reaches it’s normal operating temperature. The temperature fluntuates but not necessarily when idling or driving at high speeds. The cooling system was purged. The fans do run when necessary. The thermostat went in the correct way. I haven’t checked the radiator for clogs, but if it is clogged, it must be very extreme. The upper hose gets too hot to touch after running, and the bottom hose remains ice cold. My culprit? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/5 "2010-01-14T21:16:51Z")
I’d say that points to your culprit. I think the first bets would be on a bad water pump or a clogged radiator. ---
**Author:** ![Bodybagger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b77776/32.png) [@Bodybagger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bodybagger)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/6 "2010-01-14T22:08:14Z")
Concur with Cigroller. Check radiator (after coolant is removed and hoses disconnected) by pouring water into the top. It should run out of the bottom as fast as you can pour it in. There is also the slight possibility that there is an obstruction in the block. ---
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/7 "2010-01-15T04:16:48Z")
Small correction. Today while driving I noticed that the temperature increases drastically when stopped at intersections, etc. ---
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/8 "2010-01-15T18:16:22Z")
Does my last update (idle does present a much higher amount of overheating) change the potential culprits? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/9 "2010-01-15T18:44:48Z")
That is normally - at least in part - a cooling fan problem. You say that the fans do run when necessary - this suggests maybe not. They could be functional but not necessarily turning on at the correct coolant temp. ---
**Author:** ![lucasm822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lucasm822](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lucasm822)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-after-repairs/42482/10 "2010-01-15T18:48:53Z")
How would i best diagnose and repair this? I don’t exactly have an abundance of time, tools, or money to spend on parts since i just did the head gasket and clutch this year