Car is overheating and shutting down temperature guage goes cold to hot in minutes and vice versa

garyeger

Engine is overheating within minutes. Took to mechanic after turning the car on in the
morning only driving eight miles and needle going to hot and the car shut down. They
put in a new surge tank/overflow tank and replaced with all new coolant. New
waterpump. I have taken it to 4 mechanics and all are stumped.

Mr_Shiftright

Rapid overheating while the car is in motion is usually indicative of a bad head gasket or a stuck thermostat. I have no idea why they thought a new surge tank or water pump would cure such a rapid overheat--possibly because they were both leaking. They may have cured the symptoms but not the disease.