Persistent Overheating

MarissaMiller
Sun, 04 Aug 2013 03:04:23 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

2005 Hyundai Tiburon Keeps Overheating

I live in Washington State and have a 2005 Hyundai Tiburon with less than 110,000 miles. I have had it for 5 years, and have not had any issues with the car until recently (last 2-3 months). My car overheated on me back in May while out running work related errands. I was able to leave it parked downtown while my husband took a break from his job to come pick me up. Since then, it has continued to overheat every time I drive it.

The temperature gauge climbs into, or dangerously close to, the “red Zone” within the first 10 minutes of driving. The first couple of times the car overheated, if I was using the air conditioner, it would start blowing hot air instead of cold air and the air would stay hot. Now when I drive the car with the air conditioner on and it over heats, it continues to blow cold air (if that matters at all).

My super handy husband (a certified motorcycle mechanic) has done the following in an attempt to fix the car:
• Checked coolant levels
• Topped off coolant
• Bled coolant system and added yet more coolant
• Replaced the thermostat
• Replaced the radiator cap
• Water pump was replaced November 2012 (not even a year old yet)

The radiator cap was the most recent fix. It was replaced on a Wednesday evening after testing it and finding that the existing one was not maintaining the proper PSI. The car drove great around town for two whole days without any issues (Thursday & Friday). Saturday, I decided to take it on a longer drive out of town to see if my good luck would hold…it didn’t. I drove a total of 30 miles round trip and my car started overheating after about 20. I limped back into town and barely made it back to our apartment.

My car continues to overheat!! What is going on?! So confused and frustrated. PLEASE HELP!! I’m hesitant about taking it to a mechanic who, my husband is convinced, will just charge me to check all of the things he has already fixed.

8 posts - 5 participants