CELICA ST162 2.0 GTR OVERHEATING PROBLEMS CAN ANYBODY HELP?

[kiwi_dave]

Hello,
I am wondering if anybody can help me. I have had an overheating problem in my ST162 for nearly 4 months. There is no water in the oil or vice versa. It still runs as well as it always has and has plenty of power. So I assume head gasket and cylinder head are ok.

I have tried replacing the radiator cap, flushing the radiator and block. Filled with new Anti Freeze. Tried a new thermostat. fitted new elbow as the other had a leak. Tried it without the thermostat. Had the radiator plastic welded (Sealed it ok) Removed the air conditioning radiator. Checked the brakes to make sure they are not sticking. Timing also appears to be ok.

The car usually runs well for 5-10 kms then the temperature rises. I can keep it below red and can even get it back to normal by turning the heater on high. I thought it may be a problem with the sender but it is definitely on boiling point. It does not appear to be using water.

Can anybody advise? Your help is much appreciated!!!!

Thanks

David

[CozmoNz]

any chance the thermostat is around the wrong way?

[ee904age]

Sounds like you have a blockage sumwhere if it drops with the heater on.

[sergei]

probably lots of crap in the radiator.
When car is warm and running check top and and bottom of radiator for temperature difference, if bottom is cold when top is hot, it means that radiator is blocked

[JASON_SHEMAN]

i have same problem last week...u try to feel the hardest of upper and lower hose...if u feel there is very high pressure on upper hose and lower presure on lower hose...it's ur radiator blocked....take the radiator to service and it will be ok!!

[Lloyd]

Are your fans actually turning on?

[ee904age]

Haha^^^^Lovin the sig^^^

[Crimson Tears]

I had the same problem with my ST162. It ended up being a bad airlock in the top hose, they are quite common for air locking there. The way I remedied the problem was to take the upper hose off and fill the hose right up with water, then put the hose back on the radiator. I then jacked the front of the car up so the back of the car was just about sitting on the ground, and then ran the engine with the heater on, radiator cap off and revved the engine up and down for about 5-10 minutes. Failing that there could be other issues such as blocked radiator, faulty thermostat or a blown headgasket. It's a good start though anyway.

[Caveman]

Are your fans actually turning on?

I was going to ask that too.

I had that problem with a celica. Never fixed it, just told the guy to use the heater when it over heated.

[kiwi_dave]

Many thanks for your replies. Seems like a common problem with these cars. I will check all of these out in the weekend. I have a feeling that it could be an airlock so I will try what is suggested.