As of recently my car has an overheating problem. The car I drive for a daily driver is a 1997 Volvo 850. What was happening was when I was driving I would hear ticking noise and my oil light would flash (this was once and only for a min) when I pulled over I noticed everything was hot. I took off my engine oil cap pulled all my dip sticks up and open my coolant reservoir! I notice it was shooting antifreeze everywhere! After freaking out I let it cool and see if I could make a better idea of what was going on.

                First I checked my oil dip stick and the level was good. I also checked the transmission dip stick and it was fine also! After being calm that I had oil in the car I put the oil cap back on and checked for any leaks under the car there was a coolant water leak which I found was strange. I take care of my cars good I don’t have leaks in my cars that’s now how I roll! So I looked at the coolant container and poured more water in it and notice I had a crack in the reservoir! But I was miles from a junkyard so I silicone it together and put some fluid in and tried to get home before I over heat again.  On the way I couldn’t help to think what caused it to happen in the first place!

                When I got off work that day I looked on line to see what could cause it to do that and the answer came up twice a bad thermostat and water pump propeller. I was really hoping it wasn’t anything with the water pump because I didn’t want to deal with that kind of trouble but I did check the thermostat and sure enough it was stuck with only a little opening. I was guessing the pressure was too much and then reservoir snap on its end which was why I was leaking antifreeze which was the reason my motor was over heating and smoking.  So I went to a junk yard and an auto shop for the parts!

                After getting the parts and installing them I tested the car for 3 days.  Day one was just a run from my home to my moms and backs no problems. Day two drove around and turned on the air conditioner to see how the temperature looked again no problems. Day three I drove with the heater to see if I hear any drips and it was perfect no problems! So the overheating was solved! I was sooo pleased!