Don't Let Florida's Heat Destroy Your Engine
Your engine produces tremendous heat during operation — enough to weld metal if left unchecked. The cooling system's job is to keep that temperature in a safe operating range, typically between 195°F and 220°F. In South Florida, where ambient temperatures regularly hit 95°F+ and you're sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95 or I-275, your cooling system works harder than anywhere else in the country.
When the cooling system fails, engine temperatures can spike past 250°F within minutes, potentially causing warped cylinder heads, blown head gaskets, or complete engine failure — repairs that cost thousands. Don't take that risk. Our mobile mechanics in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa diagnose and repair cooling system issues right at your location.
Cooling System Services We Perform
- Coolant flush and fill — drain old coolant, flush the system, refill with manufacturer-spec coolant
- Radiator repair and replacement — cracked, leaking, or clogged radiators
- Thermostat replacement — stuck open (engine runs cold/poor heat) or stuck closed (overheating)
- Water pump replacement — worn bearings, leaking seals, broken impellers
- Radiator hose replacement — upper and lower hoses, bypass hoses, heater hoses
- Cooling fan diagnosis and repair — electric fan motors, relays, temperature switches
- Head gasket testing — combustion leak test to check for internal coolant leaks
- Coolant leak detection — pressure testing to find external leaks
- Overflow/expansion tank replacement — cracked or leaking reservoirs
- Temperature sensor replacement — the sensor that tells your computer the engine temperature
Warning Signs of Cooling System Problems
- Temperature gauge in the red or high — pull over immediately and call us
- Steam from under the hood — do NOT open the hood until it cools; hot coolant can cause severe burns
- Sweet smell — coolant (antifreeze) has a distinctly sweet odor; if you smell it, you have a leak
- Puddle under the car — green, orange, pink, or blue fluid is coolant leaking
- Coolant level keeps dropping — you're topping it off but it keeps going down (leak somewhere)
- Overheating in traffic but fine at highway speeds — usually a cooling fan problem
- Overheating at highway speeds but fine in traffic — often a thermostat or water pump issue
- White smoke from exhaust — could indicate coolant entering the combustion chamber (head gasket)
- Heater not working — may seem unrelated, but a failing thermostat or low coolant can cause this
- Milky substance on oil cap — coolant mixing with oil (head gasket failure — urgent)
What Cooling System Repair Involves
Diagnosis: We begin with a visual inspection, checking coolant level, condition, and concentration. We perform a cooling system pressure test to identify external leaks, check thermostat operation, test the cooling fans, and if needed, perform a combustion leak test to check for head gasket issues.
Repair: Based on diagnosis, we replace the failed component using OEM-spec parts. For coolant service, we properly drain the old coolant, flush any contamination, and refill with the exact type and concentration specified for your vehicle. We always bleed the system to remove air pockets that could cause hot spots.
Verification: We run the engine to operating temperature, verify the thermostat opens, check for leaks under pressure, and confirm the cooling fans activate at the correct temperature.
Why Mobile Service for Overheating Issues
- DO NOT drive an overheating car — you risk catastrophic engine damage with every mile. We come to you.
- No tow truck needed — save $100+ on towing
- Diagnose on the spot — many cooling issues are straightforward to fix at your location
- Prevent further damage — the sooner we diagnose it, the less likely you'll need a $3,000+ head gasket job
Cooling System Repair Pricing
- Coolant flush and fill: $100–$160
- Thermostat replacement: $150–$300
- Radiator hose replacement: $100–$200
- Radiator replacement: $350–$700
- Water pump replacement: $300–$700 (access varies significantly by vehicle)
- Cooling fan motor: $200–$450
All quotes provided before work begins. 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty on all repairs.
Service Areas
Fort Lauderdale area: Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Plantation, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Boca Raton
Tampa area: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Temple Terrace, Carrollwood, Lutz, Plant City