Expert: Ben Deutschman - 8/18/2009

Question
i just bought the car and it keeps running hot had the radiator flushed new thermostat and fans and everything work it doesnt over heat till drivin for maybe 20-30 minutes i keep hearing might be the head gaskets or clogged heater coil and everything and when put in idle it'll cool down within a few minutes can't figure it out can you shine some light on this

Answer
I would sincerely doubt a clogged Heater Core would be the cause of your car overheating, however, a blown Head Gasket, is a very real possibity. If you notice your car is losing Coolant, but not leaving any puddles on the ground, that is one hint that your car has a Head Gasket problem. Also, if the Coolant Overflow bottle seams to bubble like a tea kettle when the Engine RPM is increased, that would be another indicator. I know of one Shop that will hold an Emissions Testing probe over an open Radiator Cap, in order to check for Exhaust Gases present in the Coolant, as a means of checking for Head Gasket problems.