My car overheats?

Question

Ok car guys, I need your help. My 1991 Toyota Tercel is overheating. There was a cracked hose connecting the coolant reservoir to the radiator. Replaced it, and the darn thing is still overheating. Any ideas?

I started to smell burning antifreeze before the temp gage started to move. After the smell, I kept an eye on the gage.

Magley64, How do you check for a cracked head or block? I had my dad check the other stuff and it was all fine.

Thanks, but I need some Car Repair for Dummies talk. I have no idea what some of that stuff is.

Answer 1

check

coolant
fans
thermostat
heater core
water pump
cracked head
cracked block

in order of expense...cheapest to most expensive...

Answer 2

Hopefully, you have never had any American (green) anti-freeze in this engine. The reason is that the chemical composition of it is too harsh for the aluminum parts in the engine and the gasket between the upper engine (head) and the lower part (block) The first thing to do is to check that your electric fan at the radiator actually goes "on" and "off" when the engine is warm and that your temperature gage is consistent. Try to figure out if you have any air in your cooling system by running the engine temporarily with the radiator cap removed and watching for bubbles. If you have bubbles and they won't stop, then you probably have a leak in the head gasket causing over-heating. There are chemicals that you can add to the cooling system to seal the problem. Also, shampoo your entire engine compartment after applying "Gunk original formula" spray to remove all oil and grease (that creates hot-spots) from your engine compartment. Also gain access to the radiator and flush all debris from in between the "vanes" to allow a good flowing of air through the radiator. Check that the "fan Switch" that controls the electric fan is functioning correctly and if you must replace it use only a genuine Toyota switch. Toyota coolant is usually red in color and is formulated to keep acids away from the expensive aluminum alloy parts and prolong life of head gasket, etc. If your engine compartment is clean, then your engine can function more efficiently and remain cooler from natural air flow. You'll be amazed at how much better this car will run after it is cleaned!!!! Also, look at your tuning decal, under the hood, and see if your valves need to be adjusted, and have this done. Good Luck

Answer 3

The thermostat would be the likely problem if there is no noticeable loss in coolant. If the coolant level is dropping look for a leak under the car. If the leak is internal (i.e. into the engine) you should be able to smell it coming out the exhaust. If the coolant level seems fine start with the thermostat.

Answer 4

there is a possibility you warped your cylinder head, possibly cracked it from an over heat. The only way I know of to test a cylinder head is to remove it, take it to a machine shope and have them preasure test it. They will be able to tell if the cylinder head is warped or not, or if it is cracked. If it is not the cylinder head, you might have blown a head gaskets ( the gasket that fits between the cylinder head, and the engine block). If the head gasket is cracked,, you will want to replace it VERY soon,as that can lead to a host of other problems.

Answer 5

well you can tell of cracked block or head because you will lose a little bit of compression depending on the crack

ok check your coolant
hoses
fans
radiator
thermostat
check your water pump and water pump gasket
passageways
blwon head gasket

it could also be that the car is running rich all the time causing it to overheat so that could bea ecu problem

Answer 6

It could be many things as others have stated. I would go to a shop that has a coolant pressure tester. We charge 25.00 at my shop and this includes a block test, then your problem will be pin pointed.