Temperature gauge climbing, steam from the hood, or a sweet puddle under your car — Matt shows up, inspects free, and tells you exactly what it costs before doing anything.
Every overheating case has a specific cause and urgency level. Matt diagnoses for free — then you decide.
| On-site diagnostic & inspection Inspect and tell you exactly what needs doing — no charge |
$0 |
| Thermostat replacement Parts + labor for a stuck or failed thermostat |
$140–$190 |
| Water pump replacement Parts + labor when the pump itself has failed |
$280–$420 |
| Radiator hose (upper or lower) Parts + labor for a cracked or blown hose |
$95–$160 |
| Radiator replacement Parts + labor for a cracked or clogged radiator |
$380–$560 |
| Coolant flush & refill Full system flush with fresh coolant, pressure-tested for leaks |
$95 |
| Heater core diagnostic Diagnose no heat or sweet smell inside the cabin |
$79 |
Full pricing on the rates page — every repair, flat-rate, no surprises.
The thermostat controls coolant flow through the engine. When it sticks closed, coolant stops circulating and the engine overheats fast. When it sticks open, the engine takes forever to reach operating temp. Either way, it's a $140–$190 fix that Matt does on-site.
The water pump is what keeps coolant moving. When the impeller fails or the shaft seals leak, coolant circulation stops and temperatures spike. A failing water pump gets louder over time — whining, tapping, or a growling sound from the engine bay.
Heat and age make hoses brittle. A cracked upper or lower hose dumps coolant fast — you'll see the puddle before the gauge climbs. Hose replacements are one of the quickest fixes Matt does, usually under two hours.
If coolant keeps disappearing but you don't see a leak, it's burning — a blown head gasket or cracked intake manifold lets coolant mix with oil or exit through the exhaust. White smoke from the tailpipe and milky oil are the telltale signs. Matt pressure-tests the system and tells you what you're dealing with.
"Battery died in my driveway at 7am. Matt was there by 8:30, tested the alternator too, replaced the battery on the spot. Cheaper than I expected."
"Check engine light had been on for weeks. Matt ran the diagnostic for $79, explained every code in plain English, fixed the O2 sensor same day."
"Matt showed up right on time, diagnosed the starter in 10 minutes, had the truck running before lunch. Way easier than a shop."
If the gauge is below red and you're within a few miles of home or Matt's shop, maybe. But a car that ran hot is already damaged — and if the leak is significant, water won't last the trip. Call Matt first, he'll tell you if it's safe to drive or if you need a tow.
Stop driving it now. Overheating past the red damages the head gasket and can crack the cylinder head or engine block — repair costs jump from hundreds to thousands. Even one mile at redline can cause permanent damage. Call Matt and he'll assess the actual damage.
Signs of a blown head gasket: white sweet smoke from the exhaust, milky oil, bubbles in the coolant overflow, or a drop in power. Matt does a pressure test and coolant system check on every overheating job — he'll tell you exactly what failed and what it costs before any work starts.
Yes — Matt carries coolant and the tools to pressure-test your system on-site. He'll top off what you have, find the leak, and quote the repair. No coolant, no diagnosis — but the inspection itself is free.
For thermostat, water pump, hose, and coolant flush — yes, done in one visit, drivable immediately. Radiator replacement sometimes requires a second visit if the part isn't in the van. Matt will be clear about that upfront.