Why is my car overheating?

Overheating is almost always a cooling-system problem — low coolant, a failing water pump, a stuck thermostat, a leak, or a faulty radiator fan. Stop driving the moment the gauge climbs into the red: driving on hot warps the head and turns a cheap fix into a multi-thousand-dollar engine job.

The most common causes

1
Coolant leak

A leak at a hose, the radiator or the water pump drops the level and the temperature climbs.

2
Failing water pump

If the pump can't circulate coolant, the engine overheats — one of the jobs other mobile mechs decline, and our specialty.

3
Stuck thermostat

A thermostat stuck closed blocks coolant flow and spikes the temperature.

4
Faulty radiator fan

If the fan doesn't kick in, the car overheats in traffic but cools on the move.

Hot in traffic
5
Head gasket

If it's been overheating a while, the head gasket may have let go.

Been hot a while
Is it safe to drive? No — pull over and switch off. Driving on hot is what destroys engines. Let it cool, then call us — we come to you.

What it costs in Sydney

Mobile diagnostic$129
Cooling system repairsfrom $350
Water pump (fitted)from $449

Get it diagnosed — in your driveway.

Find the exact cause of the overheating and get a fixed price — before it becomes an engine job.

$129
Credited if you book the repair · Hills & Western Sydney
Call 0414 623 806
V

Reviewed by a Vertex mechanic — 20+ years' experience. ★ 4.9 on Google · Fixed price, every fault photographed, 12-month warranty.

Common questions

No. Pull over and switch off as soon as the gauge climbs into the red — driving on hot is what warps the head and turns a cheap fix into an engine job.

It's a temporary patch at best. If it's losing coolant there's a leak — we find and fix the cause so it doesn't strand you again.

Most often a coolant leak, a failing water pump, a stuck thermostat or a dead radiator fan.

Not sure exactly what's wrong?

Use our free 60-second Fault Finder — get the likely cause, whether it's safe to drive, and a fair price.

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Get the price before you book.

Any car. Anywhere. Any time — across the Hills & Western Sydney.

Call 0414 623 806