# Random overheating **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 23, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-overheating/66504 "2011-07-23T12:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chrisz9423](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbe5ce/32.png) [@chrisz9423](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chrisz9423)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-overheating/66504/1 "2011-07-23T12:21:02Z")
I have a 2002 Honda Odysee with 260,000 miles on it. It started randomly overheating this hot summer we have been having. We change the thermostat and flushed the coolant/radiator and still overheats. I do not see any leaking on the garage floor but am loosing coolant and need to put more in about every 14 days. I do a lot of highway driving. What should I look at next? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-overheating/66504/2 "2011-07-23T12:40:19Z")
If you are **losing** coolant, but there is no apparent leak, then you have to think of the possibility of a breached head gasket. Then, there is the question of cause and effect. Could the engine be **losing** coolant and overheating because of a breached head gasket, or did the head gasket become damaged as a result of overheating from another cause–such as a defective temperature sensor? Taking things step by step, I would suggest that you first check the hose clamps to be sure that they are tight, and that you consider the possibility that there could be a pinhole-sized leak in a hose if it is over-aged. Look underneath the hood for evidence of dried-up coolant, which leaves a whitish residue. If there is no evidence under the hood of seepage/leakage from hoses or **loose** hose clamps, then you should have your mechanic check to make sure that the radiator’s fans are running as they are supposed to, and do some tests for evidence of a bad head gasket. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-overheating/66504/3 "2011-07-23T16:41:34Z")
Have you replaced the radiator cap? If it’s not holding pressure strange things can happen. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/random-overheating/66504/4 "2011-07-23T18:37:45Z")
I second the nomination for radiator cap.