I just got my water pump replaced and ever since then my car has randomly started heating up so I just have pulled over on the side of the road in the shade and turned it off for a few minutes, and then it’s fine. I was wondering if anyone knows why this is happening and how to fix it. My guess is there is air left in the system from when the pump got replaced and Thad what’s causing the random heat ups but I don’t know.

 

Might be a thermostat issue like what I had. Random. Tstat get stuck sometimes. Replaced, now fine.

 

Check the t-stat, also there still might be air.

 

When the motor is cold+off, open your reservoir cap and then partially unscrew your bleed valve (right on top of your radiator/hoses) with a screwdriver.

Now fill with water/coolant into your coolant reservoir until it is full. Leave that cap off.

Start the motor and let it idle until water is coming out of your bleed valve (or coolant reservoir), then tighten the bleed valve and reinstall coolant reservoir cap.

That will give you a quick and dirty coolant bleed which should eliminate any major air gaps that cause overheating issues.

Also, check that your radiator isn't obstructed (I've had a whole newspaper blocking the fins before!).

 

I don’t think it’s that because when it happens the car smells hotter than it should and the hood it’s a little warmer than normal.

 

I will definitely do this today, that sounds like the best idea for a quick fix.

 

Why do a quick and dirty bleed when a proper bleed is so fast and simple?