Cooling System & Overheating Repair in Gig Harbor

Cooling problems usually give you some warning before they get serious. Catching them early can be the difference between replacing a hose and repairing a warped cylinder head.

A weak cooling system often shows up under load first: a long climb up one of the Key Peninsula's hills on a warm day, a loaded truck, or stop-and-go traffic with the A/C on.

Don't push it to get home. An engine that keeps running hot can warp the cylinder head, blow the head gasket or seize, and those repairs usually cost far more than fixing whatever caused the overheating.

Topping off the coolant may get you a short distance, but it doesn't fix the reason the level dropped. If you're not sure whether it's safe to drive, call us at (253) 884-3431 before you go any farther.

Coolant leaks don't always leave a puddle. Some only seep when the system is hot and pressurized, and some leak internally. A pressure test brings the system up to its normal operating pressure, which often makes a hidden leak show itself. We also check the coolant's level and condition.

A thermal imaging camera shows how heat moves through the radiator and hoses, which helps us spot cold areas from a clogged radiator or a thermostat that isn't opening. With a professional scan tool, we watch live coolant temperature data and, on many vehicles, check the cooling fan's operation. If anything points to a head gasket, we test the coolant for combustion gases before recommending a repair.

Then we explain what we found and what it will take to fix, and nothing gets done until you approve it.

Coolant does more than keep the engine from freezing. It raises the boiling point and carries additives that protect against corrosion. Those additives wear out over time, and worn-out coolant can start to corrode radiators, heater cores and other parts from the inside and shorten water pump life.

The type matters, too. Many manufacturers specify their own formulation, and mixing incompatible coolants can reduce protection and, in some cases, form sludge that clogs passages. We refill with coolant that meets your manufacturer's specification, follow the factory service interval, and can check your freeze protection before the first winter cold snap.

Request an appointment online or call us. Drop-off starts at 6:00 AM, and after hours you can leave your keys in the key drop to the left of the customer lounge door. It helps to tell us when the problem happens: cold starts, highway driving, idling or climbing hills.

We work on cars, trucks, vans and SUVs of all makes, domestic and import, including European models. Hybrids and EVs often have separate cooling loops for their batteries and electronics, so call first and we'll confirm what we can take on for your vehicle. Every repair is backed by our 2-year/24,000-mile warranty; learn more on our warranty page.