Hey, everybody. I have a 2000 accord lx 4 cylinder. When I was driving home from work yesterday the temperature gauge needle went from normal to about 3/4 then quickly to maximum position. Just as I pulled over steam started coming from the engine. When I opened up the hood part of the engine was wet. There was no distinctive odor. It just smelled like steam. I had the car towed to a shop I just started using and they can't look at it until tomorrow but the guy i spoke to indicated that there could be significant engine damage. He didn't know yet.

Any ideas what this could be?
What kind of questions should I be asking the mechanic?

I don't know anything about cars.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

David

 

either the fan stopped working or the thermostat failed in the closed position..normally it's the latter...yes there could be engine damage...you will need a compression test to verify if the head gasket is leaking at the cylinders now