Overheating Problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sccrkeep89 · 12-21-2009, 07:24 PM

I've got a '93 Corolla with 108K on it. When I was driving home from school, I made it about 500 miles before it overheated. I stopped, let it cool down, and added more 50/50 coolant. I drove it the last 30 miles home with the heat turned up all the way, and it would alternate between cycles of cold and warm air. When I pulled in my driveway, it had started blowing steam out of the overflow tube again. Any ideas as to what this could be? Water pump?
oh and I'm not sure if it would be any significant effect, but the tube that drops down into the coolant overflow bottle was broken off, but it's been that way for a while. Thanks for the help.

CJCride · 12-21-2009, 07:58 PM

Firstly do not open the rad cap when hot. You will possibly get burned.
Usually heat & then none means low coolant I think.
That tube in the overflow bottle is like a straw, it sucks coolant back into the system as the engine cools down.

Welcome to TN

trife96 · 12-21-2009, 10:24 PM

so the fact you added coolant tells me you been loosing coolant possibly. Also, 3 things come to mind with the over heating. I'm thinking you have a leak...likely. Or your thermostat. Or you have air in the system. Have you done any recent work to your cooling system?

sccrkeep89 · 12-23-2009, 02:45 AM

trife: That was my first thought but im not seeing any puddles or anything under the car. I havent done work on the system since about 2 years ago when i replaced the thermostat with one that supposedly fails in the open position...

CJC: yeah I gave it time to cool before I messed with it too much. The low coolant is possibility cuz I only had a partial bottle of 50/50 with me. And do you think that overflow straw being broken could cause significant problems like this?

I'm planning on spending major time with it tomorrow morning so we'll see what happens

CJCride · 12-23-2009, 05:48 AM

It could be the prob., fix it first.
Merry Christmas

sccrkeep89 · 01-12-2010, 02:13 PM

Sorry about the super slow response. I replaced that tube that dips into the reservoir bottle, topped off the coolant, and haven't had a problem since. thanks for the help guys.

trife96 · 01-12-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sccrkeep89

do you think that overflow straw being broken could cause significant problems like this?

I don't think that would cause it.

ehoff · 01-12-2010, 05:40 PM

Agree with trife96. Sounds like your thermostate might have stuck. Would suggested you check your overflow tank for a few weeks.