JM2

Hi everyone,
I am familiar with the basics of auto repair; I took a class about 15 years ago. But this overheating problem puzzles me.
I was hoping someone can help me figure out why my Tercel is overheating.
Here's the situation: the car overheated while on a short 10 minute drive on the freeway. I pulled over and steam was coming out of the reservoir area. Since it was night time, I couldn't see if it had been leaking in any other place-though it didn't appear to be.
After it cooled, I refilled the radiator (which didn't require much to fill up again). I was able to get home (via the streets this time) with no major overheating, though the temperature gauge dial was heading to the red.
There was no visable leaking when I got home.
In the next two days, I changed the thermastadt just incase, but the car still has the same problem: on short drives the water comes out of the reservoir area and the dial keeps going close to the red.
Does anyone have any idea what can be causing the car to overheat?
I am thinking it is the fan (I will chk to see if it goes on at all), but even if it does,why does the car steam with water coming out of the reservoir? I thought the purpose of the reservoir was to be a resource of water/coolant for the radiator when it required more water.
Also, if I have to check to see if the water pump is working, is there a quick and simple way (trick) to do this?
thanks for any and all your help!!
-JM2

JOET/CAMRY

Hello, checking the fan for proper operation is a very good idea. a non functioning fan would defenitely cause the engine to overheat.

you replaced the thermostat? thats good. i'm sure you put the thermostat in the proper way and not backwards. that has been known to happen.

take the radiator cap off when engine is cool. start the engine and top off radiator with coolant. squeeze top radiator hose to get any air bubbles out. wait for engine to get warm and for the coolant to start flowing from the engine into the radiator/ from the radiator to the engine and once again top off coolant in radiator. put radiator cap back on. make sure the overflow is topped off with coolant.
start the car and pray. LOL
post back with the results. Good Luck.

JOET/CAMRY