Celica VVTLi 190 problem

Fuh Q

Hi, I have a 01 Celica VVTLi 190 and its heating up on the motorway, its fine driving locally and it returns to normal operating temp if I slow down to 80/90 kmh.
It took 3/4 of a litre to top it up when I checked it.
I cant see any leaks.
The heater is blowing hot and cold so Im guessing it needs a new thermostat but would that cause the heating issue ?
Could it be air locked or a sensor ?
Is this a common problem with this car ?

Thanks..

Atlantic Dawn

Is there a sloshing noise coming from the radiator, usually this can be heard when you start the car and possibly again when you shut it down, this would indicate air in the system? Have you made any changes to the coolant recently? Any leaks in the radiator?

CJhaughey

I would hazard a guess at a blocked radiator, I had the same symptoms and a new rad fixed the problem.
The temp gauge on Toyota's is stabilised and doesn't move unless the coolant is very hot.
Did you use Coolant or water?

Fuh Q

I will listen to it properly tomorrow, it looks like just water in it, would a rad flush and refil be a good idea ?

CJhaughey

Fuh Q wrote: »

I will listen to it properly tomorrow, it looks like just water in it, would a rad flush and refil be a good idea ?

You can try, mine didn't respond to it though.
Coolant boils at a lot higher temp than plain water and has a lot of other benefits not found in tap water.

jca

If the heater output is intermittent it looks like the early stages of head gasket failure. Try getting a sniff test done on the expansion tank, that will reveal more.

Waterson

I have also seen issues with intermittent water pump failures. The belt driven pulley and internal impellor separate. At low speeds/engine loads the pump is working and then at higher speeds the impellor is freewheeling, causing overheating.
You can check the radiator issue by waiting until thermostat opens (if it does at all...) then check rad is heating across the whole matric and doesnt have any cold spots, and that input and output rubber hoses are both getting hot.

Fuh Q

I was talking to the lads in Toyota today and they think it could be the thermostat that is causing the problem. Im going to fit a new one and see if that cures it.

Fuh Q

Fuh Q wrote: »

Hi, I have a 01 Celica VVTLi 190 and its heating up on the motorway, its fine driving locally and it returns to normal operating temp if I slow down to 80/90 kmh.
It took 3/4 of a litre to top it up when I checked it.
I cant see any leaks.
The heater is blowing hot and cold so Im guessing it needs a new thermostat but would that cause the heating issue ?
Could it be air locked or a sensor ?
Is this a common problem with this car ?

Thanks..

Fuh Q wrote: »

I was talking to the lads in Toyota today and they think it could be the thermostat that is causing the problem. Im going to fit a new one and see if that cures it.

'stat theory makes no sense.

If engine is overheating due to the thermostat it's sticking closed on occasion, slowing to 80/90kph would have no effect, also the stat wouldn't be deciding to just stick closed on the motorway.

It's not the thermostat

kona

I'd get a compression test done, you are losing water from somewhere, also your temp sensor won't read accurately if it isn't in water.
I'd definatley get a a compression test done and check the oil for water.

jca

kona wrote: »

I'd get a compression test done, you are losing water from somewhere, also your temp sensor won't read accurately if it isn't in water.
I'd definatley get a a compression test done and check the oil for water.

The sniff test in the expansion tank would back up the compression test too. Are there any air bubbles in the expansion tank while revving the engine?

Fuh Q

Ive had a good look at it and there is no oil in the water or water in the oil, ive tried bleeding the coolant system and still getting hot. I have descovered that there is no antifreeze/coolant in it just water. Ive replaced the thermostat and just need to get some coolant over the weekend and give a spin. Ill keep you posted.

Fuh Q

New thermostat fitted, system bled and coolant added, still heating on the motorway.
There is some dirt/grit in the coolant, would this be rust or corrosion from the radiator ? could this be causing a blockage ?

jca

Fuh Q wrote: »

New thermostat fitted, system bled and coolant added, still heating on the motorway.
There is some dirt/grit in the coolant, would this be rust or corrosion from the radiator ? could this be causing a blockage ?

Well, if the system only had water for a length of time I'd say there's a lot of corrosion in the radiator. If you could remove the radiator and reverse flush it until the water runs clear, do the same to the heater matrix and engine block it might sort it.

scamalert

any chance to take proper look onto radiator,as over 10y old rad could be so filthy beyond imagining it,had to learn the hard way,specially on celicas where theres little protection on the front so they tend to get corroded really easily.Was told one of the first checks to do when looking at one.

Waterson

Did you check for flow through the radiator when thermostat is open? Feel the bottom hose and top hose and make sure theyyre both hot. If theyre not, you have a blockage in the rad.

Fuh Q

The top pipe felt hotter than the bottom one and when I felt the rad it felt cold on the bottom.
Ive ordered an new rad, I hope this sorts it out.

Fuh Q

New radiator arrived today, I replaced the old one and took it for a spin and no more overheating, the radiator I took out look to be in good condition but there must of been something wrong with it.
The job only took and hour and a half, easy enough to to.

Thanks for the advice..

jca

Fuh Q wrote: »

New radiator arrived today, I replaced the old one and took it for a spin and no more overheating, the radiator I took out look to be in good condition but there must of been something wrong with it.
The job only took and hour and a half, easy enough to to.

Thanks for the advice..

Brilliant, glad you got a good result, certainly cheaper than getting the head gasket done. Make sure to keep good quality coolant in it and you should have no more problems.

Fuh Q

Fuh Q wrote: »

I was talking to the lads in Toyota today and they think it could be the thermostat that is causing the problem. Im going to fit a new one and see if that cures it.

Augeo wrote: »

'stat theory makes no sense.

If engine is overheating due to the thermostat it's sticking closed on occasion, slowing to 80/90kph would have no effect, also the stat wouldn't be deciding to just stick closed on the motorway.

It's not the thermostat

Were the "lads in Toyota" mechanics?
If so their diagnosis was as pointed out nonsensical, fair enough if it was a parts or sales man talking through their arse.

Fuh Q

Augeo wrote: »

Were the "lads in Toyota" mechanics?
If so their diagnosis was as pointed out nonsensical, fair enough if it was a parts or sales man talking through their arse.

I was talking to the parts guy and he went and asked the mechanic, they kept saying "bring it in and we will have a look" but that scares me..
I have a fuel leak from the filler neck or bottom pipe to sort out now.