please help with cooling problem

[tom_ceilca]

Hi, My brother's 2.0L 88 celica st recently developed a cooling problem. I think it is a stuck thermostat, but I've been told it could also be a head gasket. About 5 minutes after it is started and run the temp gauge will be in the red. No heat will come out of the vents. Where is the thermostat located and does this sound like what the problem is?

[Deep]

Sounds like a plugged rad. Do a leak down test to find if its a bhg. The thermostat is easy to reach and its cheap, I'd start there for replacing parts. When you're cruising on the highway, at about 2500 rpm does it overheat?

[jhbhatia]

Does the radiator fan turn on and off...or is it (was it) on all the time? When was the last time the car radiator was flushed? When was the last time water pump was replaced? when was the last time the thermostat was replaced...has he ever replaced his radiator cap.

First off, flush your system and buy a new cap (if he's still using the original one from 1988!). If the overheating persists...tjen it sounds to me like a stuck thermostat or u needing a new water pump. My suggestions would be to try and pry the relay for the radiator fan to make it run all the time, if the overheating stops, then its your thermostat..and its stuck..if it continues..then your waterpump is a gonner....hope this helps...

[rezzle]

stuck thermostat, or failed water pump, or head gasket, or plugged rad, or no coolant, or broken fan/water pump belt.

[Deep]

Originally posted by rezzle
stuck thermostat, or failed water pump, or head gasket, or plugged rad, or no coolant, or broken fan/water pump belt.