Can someone explain if there is a way to detect OVERHEATING without the obvious. A month ago, radiator blew with 0 warning. Nothing. Was driving down the road and boom. Replaced radiator, hoses etc. Mechanic found a lot of orangish brown crud while flushing but couldn't determine source. Did a test for the head gasket and cylinders and that was negative. Also mechanic suggested perhaps the crud was causing thermostat to STICK? As to why the dash temp gauge never read hot...A week later and I'm finding Orange crud in New radiator. Is there a way to know if coolant sensor is WORKING? Further, how do I know if the engine is OVERHEATING if the gauge isn't working????ugh. I'm so ready to junk it...

 

Your mechanic can't figure out the rust in your coolant passages from somebody filling your cooling system with hose water?

Get a new mechanic.

Flush the block several times and once it is coming out clear, fill it with coolant+distilled water, drive it around for a week and drain it and refill it. Do this a few times to really clean out all the coolant passages.

This video is a good visual reference.

 

Thanks, any clue as to why gauge might not be responding. If i had known i wouldnt have been drivin it...

 

Is your temp gauge reading anything?

Is your radiator fan turning on?

If if you are still finding crud it is because your cooling system has not been cleaned out enough. As the new coolant moves through the passages it will accumulate old crud in the system. Hence why it may take a few flushes to fully clean the system.