HELP !!! changed radiator and have a problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

slimgoodie_5 · 05-29-2010, 10:25 AM

Ok this morning i replaced my radiator and thermostat. i followed all orders that was giving to me by the people on this board and from those car books. ok my problem is my hoses are extremely hot and tight. i tried to drive it and got about 1/2 mile and the temp went all the way to the red. the hoses was really hot and tight i waited a while and went home. what do you think could be the problem????? i dont want to blow the engine on my car.

***projektvertx*** · 05-29-2010, 10:58 AM

Bump, just to clarify: was this a problem before you put in the new radiator and thermostat?

slimgoodie_5 · 05-29-2010, 11:04 AM

Well i had a crack in the radiator and a few days ago i have noticed that the temp raised but it was only when i was sitting idle like at a light. when i drove the temp was normal.

Mike Gerber · 05-29-2010, 11:19 AM

Excuse the question, but is it possible you installed thermostat backwards? It has happened before. Also, did you bleed the cooling system of air?

Mike

rusty9 · 05-29-2010, 11:20 AM

sounds like you forgot to plug the fans back in :P

or a backwards thermostat

SexieWASD · 05-29-2010, 11:21 AM

make sure that the coolant is full, it may have had lots of air in the cooling system. The spring on the thermostat faces the engine block, not the hose, I'm not sure that it would fit the other way around, I've never tried, but that is the way it should be facing.

I got distracted and mike beat me to it.

slimgoodie_5 · 05-29-2010, 11:23 AM

I thought about the same thing with the thermostat i will check it once the car cools off. what is the proper way to 'bleed the cooling system of air'?? maybe that is something that i neglected to do. The fans are plugged in and work like normal.

carsrus · 05-29-2010, 12:22 PM

Simplest way to bleed it: Take rad cap off and top off coolant. Start car and let it idle for at least 10-15min and keep on refilling the radiator till its full. Put rad cap back on and take it for a drive.

4Cyl'erThriller · 05-29-2010, 01:16 PM

I agree with everyone else. The first thought that popped into my head was a backward thermostat.

Mike Gerber · 05-29-2010, 10:11 PM

To add to what carsrus said about bleeding the coolant, it's best to have the front of the car slightly elevated and you may have to run it as long as 45 minutes at idle with the radiator cap off.

Mike

71Corolla · 05-29-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

...and you may have to run it as long as 45 minutes at idle with the radiator cap off.

Mike

Yep, it can take a long time to get all the air out. I use one of these, makes the job far, far easier! Just fill up the funnel and let the car run until no more air comes out.

500KCamry · 05-29-2010, 10:47 PM

If you changed the thermostat, did the new one have a jiggle pin in it? And did you situate the jiggle pin upwards. The jiggle pin allows air to move past the thermostat so you don't get an air lock. An air lock will prevent the thermostat from opening as the hot coolant can't come in contact with the thermostat.

Mike Gerber · 05-30-2010, 10:28 AM

^ 500KCamry makes a good point.

Mike

slimgoodie_5 · 05-30-2010, 08:44 PM

ok i think i put my thermostat in wrong but i will check it in the am. i will report on it first thing in the am.

slimgoodie_5 · 05-31-2010, 08:53 AM

I checked the T-stat and it was in correctly. i let the car run for about 10-15 mins with the radiator cap off and squeezed the hose a few times and then took it for a nice ride and it didnt heat up like previously. I will test it on the interstate a lil later just to make sure everything is ok. thanks for all the help.