celica overheated., Fan/Fan switch/Thermostat? Options

[Badkarma]

my gf's celica overheated today and by the time she realized the temp guage topped out, she was home and the car was steaming. when i got home from work i checked the coolant, it was low so i filled it and it isn't leaking. (not enough to notice) so i had her start the car and the fans didnt turn on at all while the temp guage topped out again after about 5 min.

i figure its probably the thermostat, Fan Switch/Relay, or the Fan itself. am i on the right track? how hard is it to pull the thermostat or fan switch/relay?

Thanks, Erich

[nics]

Revemove the ECT switch to see if the fan will run. If not you might have to replace it.

[Badkarma]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Now My other celica over heated today after she dropped me off at work. And a/c died

[nics]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Now My other celica over heated today after she dropped me off at work. And a/c died

The fans should run all the time if you pull it. If you run with the fans on and still overheats, try looking at other areas. Radiator cap, Thermostat or internal leak.

[Badkarma]

i pulled all the "fan relay" 's i could find. i pulled all 3 i found. the connection to the relay in the relay bos on the driver side of the engine bay was messed up. i got it to start up the driver side coolant fan. so now the driver side fan will run on both cars.. but still overheats.

Next is... replace the radiator cap?

[nics]

i pulled all the "fan relay" 's i could find. i pulled all 3 i found. the connection to the relay in the relay bos on the driver side of the engine bay was messed up. i got it to start up the driver side coolant fan. so now the driver side fan will run on both cars.. but still overheats.

Next is... replace the radiator cap?

Is there too much pressure when it overheats? Does the coolant look like kinda brownish or traces of oil?

[laff09]

Replacing the radiator cap would be a good idea, poor seal/ broken spring will cause it to overheat.

[Badkarma]

actually yeah, in the red 96' auto (gf's celica) the coolant looks very brown, almost pastey. like diarhea. haha. i figured rust but we did a coolant flush about 6 months ago. idk if its too much pressure. would that be a problem with the radiator cap?

erich

[spy00005]

well im having same problem overheating old raid was leaking and cap was busted so like a week ago i bought brand new raid and cap i have good hoses not leaking actually its not leaking at all anymore. fans wouldn't turn on so i unpluged the sensor and their always on but it still over heats but i did notice the bottom hose no matter how hot the engine got it had no pressure and was cold so im gonna replace my thermostat hopefully that fixes it. i would suggest you atleast take a look at that. see if that does anything ill prob let u know if it fixed my prob cuz we might have the same issue. hope that helps. also watch out for leaks. mainly through the reserve tank if it is the preessure might be building and being relesed through that lil hole in the reserve tank.

by the way not 100% sure but i think thermostat is here



This post has been edited by spy00005: Jul 5, 2009 - 10:19 PM

[trdproven]

check for leaks in the hoses
leaking water pump
leaking radiator
head gasket blown

[spy00005]

okay i replaced my thermostat and ran my car w/ the heat all the way up for 30min and it did not go to half. right just below it the whole time i still don't think 30min is good enough time to be 100% sure that solved my prob but it makes me hopeful. Ill try driving around for a while and see if it overheats if not problem solved the location for the thermostat is excatly where i thought it was but it was a B!tch to get out and i mean just the bottom screw cuz i have ac and the stupid compressor blocks all access to that screw. but i hope this helps you i would def check that out new thermostat plus gasket rubber less than 10 bucks.

[trdproven]

one way to test your temp without driving your car around is to hold your throttle down (dont rev it high) steady for a bit until you see the temp rise and steady out.

[nics]

If you decide to check internal leaks, you might wanna use this

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gask...n_leak_test.htm

[spy00005]

thats what i did lol trdproven i held it at like 3000 rpms constantly but then rev'ed it up 2 like 5 then let it go down. iknow its equivilent to driving but its not the same ive noticed actually driving is when you see things happen.

[Badkarma]

i gotta wait till i get paid next friday.. so ill give the wire connector a shot, and the thermostat if that dont work.

Thanks, Erich

[spy00005]

okay ive been driving my car since the last post and no overheat at all. actully doesn't even ever get to 1/2. hope u solved ur prob.

[Badkarma]

i disconnected the fan switch at the bottom of the rad. it started both fans, and the temp rose to half way, stayed there for ab out 10 min. then rose to max. the fans stayed on the entire time. tomorrow im going to buy a radiator cap, thermostat and some flush. we'll see if that works. i hope it fixes it. im hoping this works. been bumming rides 2 weeks till this paycheck.

another question though. if unplugging the fan switch is the only way the fans start. is that a problem with the relay, switch, fans, or the thermostat not working??

Thanks, Erich

[Badkarma]

well, the bolt to the thermostat on the 94 5spd is pretty rusted. and the head is rounded. so i tried just the new radiator cap in that celica and it didnt help. still overheated after about 5-10 min.

the 96 auto celica didnt repsond to a new thermostat or a new radiator cap either.overheated after 5-10min. i dunno what to do next.

both cars had the fans running the whole time.

Erich

[nics]

i disconnected the fan switch at the bottom of the rad. it started both fans, and the temp rose to half way, stayed there for ab out 10 min. then rose to max. the fans stayed on the entire time. tomorrow im going to buy a radiator cap, thermostat and some flush. we'll see if that works. i hope it fixes it. im hoping this works. been bumming rides 2 weeks till this paycheck.

another question though. if unplugging the fan switch is the only way the fans start. is that a problem with the relay, switch, fans, or the thermostat not working??

Thanks, Erich

No problem with the relay and fans. Does you fans EVER come on when everything is connected?

well, the bolt to the thermostat on the 94 5spd is pretty rusted. and the head is rounded. so i tried just the new radiator cap in that celica and it didnt help. still overheated after about 5-10 min.

the 96 auto celica didnt repsond to a new thermostat or a new radiator cap either.overheated after 5-10min. i dunno what to do next.

both cars had the fans running the whole time.

Erich

It does push all the coolant in the reservoir, isnt it? if thats the case then it would prolly b an internal leak.

Be prepared to spend $$

[Badkarma]

great.. could it be waterpump? in the 96 auto, when i took the rad cap off it was covered in rust/dirt. very gritty feeling. that cant be good.

and the 94 5 spd i took the rad cvap off and it smelled like...fish. odd. right?i think i may take one to a shop so i can at least have one to drive for now. and maybe get an educated heads up on what the problem could be with the other celica.

Erich

[nics]

great.. could it be waterpump? in the 96 auto, when i took the rad cap off it was covered in rust/dirt. very gritty feeling. that cant be good.

and the 94 5 spd i took the rad cvap off and it smelled like...fish. odd. right?i think i may take one to a shop so i can at least have one to drive for now. and maybe get an educated heads up on what the problem could be with the other celica.

Erich

Man, I suggest you get professional help

Have it checked by a mechanic and ask what part will you need to get it fixed. I also recommend getting oem part from 1sttoyotaparts.com

If your not satisfied with the mechanic, get a second opinion from another mech.

I suggest you save $$ for parts and labor.

[Badkarma]

a friend of mine got the red 96 auto running. and not overheating. just had to be burped.. there was quite a bit of air that needed to get out.

tried the same thing with the 94 5spd, but no luck. gonna change the thermostat on the 94 next. but the bolt head has been rounded off, and ill need to move the compressor out ot the way for easier access.

Thanks for all the help. one down, one to go.

Erich

[nics]

a friend of mine got the red 96 auto running. and not overheating. just had to be burped.. there was quite a bit of air that needed to get out.

tried the same thing with the 94 5spd, but no luck. gonna change the thermostat on the 94 next. but the bolt head has been rounded off, and ill need to move the compressor out ot the way for easier access.

Thanks for all the help. one down, one to go.

Erich

Good to hear u guys got 1 car fixed! Let us know what you will you on the 5spd, might be helpful for others in the future!

[Badkarma]

well, the auto that was fixed broke down the other day. just needed coolant. its either leaking(which i cant find a leak anywhere.) or its burning it up.so my gf is driving it around now and just refilling the rad every few days. hope its not a headgasket. but i guess it would be a good learning experience.

i bought a radiator today for the 5spd. i looked yesterday and it doesnt have any coolant flowing through, its full, but the coolant isnt moving. im thinking the rad is clogged up somewhere. when at operating temp, one side of rad is hot as hell, but the other side is... not so hot. just warm.

ill replace the rad. this weekend and ill keep you posted.

Erich

[Badkarma]

got the 94 5 spd running without overheating. seems that replacing the radiator and thermostat solved it. finally got the nut off of the water inlet convering the thermostat and a boatload of coolant poured out.(after draining rad)

Anyway, works good now. hopefully this is a permanent fix. One down, One to go...Again..

got a radiator from keystone through the body shop i work at. everything was in the correct place. no problem with fitment or functionality. it was about 140$.

Thanks for the help. ill keep you posted on the 96 auto now.

Erich

[dliverance]

man this is scary...all this head gasket talk. my car is starting to do the same thing. but its wierd. i have pressure in both hoses right when i start the car, but i haven't checked with a cold start. i have a new rad. fresh coolant, but i keep having to add coolant/water even tho i don't see a leak. and also when i turn on the heater at mid temp i get no heat. just cold air. like a/c air. i'm praying this isn't going to be my head gasket.i think i'm going to try the rad cap, then thermostat next. even tho the girl i just bought the car from says she just changed it last month. Nothing like a hot car in florida in the middle of the summer.

[nics]

man this is scary...all this head gasket talk. my car is starting to do the same thing. but its wierd. i have pressure in both hoses right when i start the car, but i haven't checked with a cold start. i have a new rad. fresh coolant, but i keep having to add coolant/water even tho i don't see a leak. and also when i turn on the heater at mid temp i get no heat. just cold air. like a/c air. i'm praying this isn't going to be my head gasket.i think i'm going to try the rad cap, then thermostat next. even tho the girl i just bought the car from says she just changed it last month. Nothing like a hot car in florida in the middle of the summer.

sound like a clogged heater core.. did you ever use stop leak products?

[dliverance]

no, should i try them out? or just bypass the heater for now and see if that helps?

ok, i just went to bypass the heater core and i noticed that it has already been done.and when i touch the hoses, the top one is piping hot and the lower one is just mildly hot so i'm thinking its the thermostat.

This post has been edited by dliverance: Aug 12, 2009 - 12:08 PM

[nics]

no, should i try them out? or just bypass the heater for now and see if that helps?

ok, i just went to bypass the heater core and i noticed that it has already been done.and when i touch the hoses, the top one is piping hot and the lower one is just mildly hot so i'm thinking its the thermostat.

honestly I tried those stop leak products but i wouldnt recommend it for you to try. It worked for me for a bit but after a few months to a few week to a few days and it will go back losing coolant. From what I've searched on this forum it could cause your heater to clog, but my heater worked fine.

I know your losing coolant for a bit, but are you overheating?

[dliverance]

ah ok. i just took the 1.1 rad cap from my other celica and put it on and it didn't overheat as fast as the 0.9 cap did. so i don't know just what to do yet. i think once i get out of work i'm gonna grab a thermostat and the 1.3 rad cap that the parts store recommends using.hopefully that'll solve the problem.

[nics]

ah ok. i just took the 1.1 rad cap from my other celica and put it on and it didn't overheat as fast as the 0.9 cap did. so i don't know just what to do yet. i think once i get out of work i'm gonna grab a thermostat and the 1.3 rad cap that the parts store recommends using.hopefully that'll solve the problem.

have it tested for internal leak

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gask...n_leak_test.htm

[dliverance]

that link isn't working for me. but i'm not losing fluid anywhere. exept when it shoots out of my overflow from too much pressure.i just think its odd that both of my hoses are super pressurized

[nics]

that link isn't working for me. but i'm not losing fluid anywhere. exept when it shoots out of my overflow from too much pressure.i just think its odd that both of my hoses are super pressurized

here

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gask...n_leak_test.htm

there it works now

This post has been edited by nics: Aug 13, 2009 - 1:29 PM

[dliverance]

changes the thermostat, rad cap. still spiking up to really high temps. gets high, becomes stable, gets high becomes stable, gets high...fills overflow reservoir.pressure gets too high in reservoir. and splat cooland everywhere... wtf.i guess all thats left is the water pump and the head gasket. or a good burping.

[nics]

changes the thermostat, rad cap. still spiking up to really high temps. gets high, becomes stable, gets high becomes stable, gets high...fills overflow reservoir.pressure gets too high in reservoir. and splat cooland everywhere... wtf.i guess all thats left is the water pump and the head gasket. or a good burping.

I have read somwhere from the celica manual that our system do not require special bleeding for air. But there no harm in trying..

just pray the its not the water jackets of the head or you'll need to rebuild it or get a new one

[dliverance]

wouldn't that show up in the oil tho?the car takes about 20 minuites to start getting how when cooling system if completely full. and still, the only signs of leakage is whats going into the overflow.It didnt do this to the girl who i bought it from until jst before i bought it. and she drove it to miami from tampa just fine on perfectly clean oil.

just took it for a test drive after over an hour of cool time. and it was boilinf before i even hit one mile.

This post has been edited by dliverance: Aug 14, 2009 - 8:14 PM

[nics]

wouldn't that show up in the oil tho?the car takes about 20 minuites to start getting how when cooling system if completely full. and still, the only signs of leakage is whats going into the overflow.It didnt do this to the girl who i bought it from until jst before i bought it. and she drove it to miami from tampa just fine on perfectly clean oil.

just took it for a test drive after over an hour of cool time. and it was boilinf before i even hit one mile.

were you with her when she drove that far?

search more... its not necessarily that the coolant mixes with oil because in this case, some of the exhaust gas are push through the water jackets or head gasket and creates pressure build-up in your cooling system.

[dliverance]

yeah, i'm getting exhaust vapors coming out of my rad. cap. i think she is dying. this is my third 6th gen and i just can't seem to keep one running. i guess all i can do is risk driving it to work for a few weeks til i save up enough money to buy something new.

This post has been edited by dliverance: Aug 16, 2009 - 4:55 PM

[nics]

yeah, i'm getting exhaust vapors coming out of my rad. cap. i think she is dying. this is my third 6th gen and i just can't seem to keep one running. i guess all i can do is risk driving it to work for a few weeks til i save up enough money to buy something new.

well i risked driving mine for 1 yr

[xrav22]

sounds like water pump to me

[dliverance]

Yeah, my coworker thinks its the water pump too. He said it sounds like there is a problem with the impeller. just today i drove it to work just fine (2.5 miles) and on my lunch break i drove it down to the bank and it reached up to about 3/4 of the gauge. i withdrew moneys from the atm and when i started her up the temp was at normal opperating temperature.I even made it all the way back to work without the gauge going up once.Not even for the five minutes that i sat at the redlight next to my job. when i got back to work i let her cool for 15 minutes and checked the fluid level and everything was ok. down about three millimeters but nothing drastic.I'm praying that its the water pump. If so I can fix that this weekend. But i still want to pressure test the system.

[dliverance]

blown head gasket...

[nics]

blown head gasket...

told you...
review this thread. gather all parts that I have replaced and you think that it needs replacement soon.

Is the head OK? better check it for holes and cracks.