PROBLEMS with my radiator

[ew713]

I have an 86 Toyota Celica GT that has been overheating...

Here are the things I have tried:
-Already replaced the cap
-put more antifreeze in (too many times)
-changed a leaking gasket

Basically the car runs fine...but when I do a lot of freeway driving or just long drives and the engine starts to get warmer...as soon as the car slows down the engine starts to heat up...

I noticed that the radiator has no problem dumping fluid into the reserve, but it doesnt seem to pull it back in because the reserve is always full even when the radiator is low...but the radiator still has pressure when i unscrew the cap...even a day or two later after being run...

I am not a car person...i am a computer person...but if anyone has any suggestions...i know car people that can help me...I just need to let them know what needs to be done...


thanks

[KimMG]

How low is the coolant in the radiator? Below the fins? How much coolant are you adding? What gasket did you replace? When you filled the cooling system, did you have the heater on? Are the fins clean and free of debri, bugs, etc? Is the thermostat opening and closing when it should? Have you checked the oil level?
Start your car and let it get up to operating temperature. Then turn off the motor and if you have electric fan(s) disconnect the battery. Feel the radiator for cold spots. Places where the radiator may be clogged and is not allowing the coolant to circulate. Check the hoses to make sure they are not collapsing and restricting coolant flow. Pressure test the system to make sure there aren't any leaks and that the cap is operating at the correct pressure (new parts doesn't always mean good parts).

[blakscorpion21]

id try replacing the thermostat.

[ew713]

Originally Posted by blakscorpion21

id try replacing the thermostat.

I decided to do this and to my surprise...there was no thermostat even there! So that solved the whole problem and now everything runs great...and i can use my a/c now without overheating the engine...thanks