P0217: Engine overheat condition
The engine has overheated.
Updated
What P0217 means
The engine computer stores P0217 when the coolant temperature goes above the limit for the engine. Some engines also reduce power to protect themselves.
An overheated engine can warp the cylinder head or damage the head gasket, so this is a code to act on straight away.
Can I keep driving?
Stop and get help
Stop when it’s safe to do so and switch the engine off. Driving on can seriously damage the engine. Have it checked before driving again.
General guidance based on the code alone, not on the car’s actual condition. If in doubt, stop and ask a mechanic.
Don’t open the coolant cap while the engine is hot: the coolant is under pressure and can scald. Let the engine cool down first. If steam is coming from under the bonnet, don’t open it until it stops.
Symptoms
- The temperature gauge in the red, or a coolant temperature warning.
- Steam from under the bonnet, or a sweet smell of coolant.
- On some cars, less power while the engine protects itself.
Common causes
- Low coolant or a leak. Look for drips under the car, wet hoses or a falling level in the expansion tank.
- Cooling fan not working. Overheating mostly when standing still or in slow traffic points to the fan.
- Failed water pump or thermostat. A thermostat stuck closed keeps coolant out of the radiator; a failing pump stops it circulating.
Typical fixes
- Stop when it’s safe to do so, switch the engine off and let it cool down.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and look for leaks.
- Have the cooling system pressure-tested, and the fan, thermostat and water pump checked.
- If the engine got very hot, have it checked for head gasket damage before relying on it again.
Questions
Can I drive with P0217?
No. Stop when it’s safe to do so and switch the engine off: driving on can seriously damage the engine. Have it checked before driving again.
Can I just top up the coolant?
Topping up with the engine cold may bring the temperature back to normal, but the coolant went somewhere, or something stopped it circulating. Have the cause found before relying on the car again.