97 Rolla DX Overheating - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

KaMLuNg · 03-21-2005, 04:48 PM

hey guys...

lately in the winter whenever i am driving the temp starts to rise about 3/4 the way to the redline... however if i have the heat on it drops it back down to the middle about where it normally used to sit... is this mean my t-stat is going??? i have heard that it is a really cheap part and easy to change out... does the tstat for a 1.8L also sit on the block side of the bottom radiator hose??? i want to resolve this before the summer comes so i don't have to drive around with the heat on when it is 90 degrees outside... thanks..

Pineapple · 03-21-2005, 04:57 PM

Change the stat first with a coolant flush. If the coolant looks brown and oily, you got more problem.

***REN69*** · 03-21-2005, 05:05 PM

Check your rad too.. my rad was gone by the time summer came around after I bought my car, push on the fins with your fingers to see if they're still strong enough.. if they push right in with your finger, time for a new rad too.

KaMLuNg · 03-21-2005, 05:09 PM

do u guys know if the t-stat sits on the top or bottom??? and how many coolant bottles will i need to refill??? i never had to refill a whole radiator before... thanks guys ill do it this sunday...

94_Rolla_Guy · 03-21-2005, 06:35 PM

the thermostat is at the engine end of the upper hose behind the aluminum elbow with the temperature sensor in it, oh yeah you'll wanna get a new gasket when you pick up the new thermostat aswell

KaMLuNg · 03-22-2005, 09:55 PM

okay thanks for your help guys.. .it was warm today so i did it after work.. i think the hardest part was burping out the whole system... took it for a test drive and the needle did not budge at all... i did however notice that the fan never kicked on... is there any way i can test to make sure the fan still works??? thanks again

Ostornadoe · 03-22-2005, 10:28 PM

To see if the fan will turn on, just leave your car idling for a few minutes after you have driven it. The fan's job is to push air in to the radiator when the car is not moving, so it's not getting that air. So if you drive it around and heat up the car, then idle somewhere for a while, it should come on.