1992 Celica GT (Overheating & Leaking Power Steering Fluid?)

[LaazRockit1987]

Hey everyone, I'm new on here, I have a '92 Celica GT which runs perfect except for the Overheating problem, the Power Steering problem isn't a big deal for me, although I've wasted alot of money buying fluid for it, No clue where it's going
But I absolutely love this car.. I'd never give it up. Before I owned a '88 Chevy Beretta GT and after that a 94' Pontiac Grand AM SE. They were both pretty crappy. lol.
But I need to figure out why it's overheating like this, Me and my stepdad did a raidator flush on it and it didn't help at all, The fan works fine, but I will be driving it and will have to pull over quite often to let it cool down and put water in it, I've stopped using coolant because I'm wasting too much money on it, and it does the same as the water, I know for a fact it isn't leaking, it acts like it's burning it up or something. I'm not even speeding in it or anything, I have no idea what's causing the overheating, I thought it was the radiator but I was told it wasn't, then I noticed the radiator cap was spurting out water and took it to the auto parts store to get it replaced and it didn't help, They told me somebody before I owned it switched the radiator from a 91 Camry? or something like that. That is the cap he replaced it with anyways because the cap for a '92 Celica didn't fit, it was too big. But the car ran perfect when I first got it around December, no problems at all, It just started overheating like this about a month ago. Does anyone have any ideas what the cause could be?
Thanks everyone,
-Ryan

[toyomoho]

When does the engine overheat? At engine idle, stop and go traffic, at hwy speeds? Does turning on the heater full blast help cool the engine down? How much water is being lost?

Does the engine run OK, idle OK, any stream out the exhaust pipe? Any water in the engine oil, bubbles in radiator upper tank?

Have you checked the complete cooling system of leaks including hoses, radiator, heater core, water pump, etc. It is possible for some leaks on hot surfaces to evaporate before having time to drip to the ground. Suggest running your hands over the cooling system when engine cold to feel for coolant. Also check the back of the engine.

On the PS, you checked the usually places such as steering rack boots, hoses, etc? Check with engine on and off. If not signs of PS fluid determine if there is a vacuum hose running from the PS pump to the intake manifold. If so, it is possible fluid is being drawn into the manifold because of a defective valve.

[LaazRockit1987]

It seems when I had it going on the raidator flush it didn't overheat at all, and your supposed to leave the car running for 10 mins., It didn't have a problem then at all, So I guess it only overheats when I am driving it. It doesn't go down any when I'm at a light or anything, sometimes even it makes it worse when I am stopped at a light it will overheat more. When I am going up a hill it's the worst. I am not sure about speeds because it's only 35 mph all around where I live (In a smaller town) and I could just drive to a friends house doing only 35 and it still overheat as bad as when I am doing 55 on the main highway. The engine runs fine, No stalling, it start up fine, No steam coming out the exhaust pipe. My stepdad checked the hoses, water pump and everything, He said it was all fine. He took it all apart and was puzzled because there was no thermostat? I don't understand that myself, I know little about cars, He said maybe it's because it is a Japanese car.
I put the heater on and the A/C both (At different times) and it didn't help at all.
I've noticed when it's cold outside it does a little better, but now it is extremely hot so it really has gotten worse.
There is no water in the engine oil, he checked that too, that's one of the first things he had checked.
He told me he thinks it is the head gasket? But I'm not sure, I have no idea what it could be. that's just what he told me. He isn't too great on cars and I don't think he knew too much about mine.

[Blane]

There is a thermostat on every car! You need to find it and replace it. Something is really wrong. Maybe you need to put one in? Check it out!

If that's not it... I'd try replacing your water pump.

[Pineapple]

No thermo will result in over cool and engine unable to warm up in winter. Get a new Rad, your old one probably is plugged. Also get a thermostat if you care about fuel mileage. I don't think there is anything wrong with your water pump.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Man, I have to say it really sounds like a cracked head/block and/or a leaky head gasket...I mean it's possible the rad is clogged but of all the Toyotas I've owned most were completely neglected by previous owners and I've still never seen a rad plug-up on either a 3sfe or a 5sfe (basically the same engines). Try a compression test with a dial guage, they're simple to use if you have someone to help you...

[LaazRockit1987]

Thanks for the help guys, How much do you think the rad or the head gasket replacement would cost me? I know the head gasket won't be cheap.. I was told $158 plus labor, and my grandpa said as long as the dude is going near the engine I should just get him to rebuild something in the motor? I have no idea what he's talking about, but when I first got my celica it burned oil pretty bad, I'd go through about a whole quart going back and fourth an hour and a half trip, But now for some reason it doesn't burn any oil anymore like it did before. The only problem is the overheating and the power steering. I thought after I get this fixed on my car I'm going to get a body kit and a black paint job done on it. I just hope it's not too outrageous the price to fix it, I was told before it was the head gasket and the auto store here can order one, but I wouldn't know how to put one in, and not sure how much labor would be.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Head jobs are frighteningly complex and expensive, it might actually be cheaper to swap-in a good engine if the wreckers around you have a running one for a reasonable price...

If you're not mechanically experienced, there's just no way you'll have the tools or patience to do a head gasket job. Call around for quotes, ask around for referrals to a good mechanic who only does mechanical work. Shops that choose not to buy computer testing equip tend to be much cheaper (my guy is $35 per hour).

[hatchy_gt-s]

^ yes and no a head gasket is quite easy on a 4cyl. its the having to do the bottom side if you do the topside that gets difficult and in turn your looking at just rebuilding the whole engine thats when it gets difficult

[Blane]

You have some weird issues. Keep us updated on what it takes to get it done.

You have conflicting issues...

[Tom_Celica]

I just had the same thing happen to my 1990 Celica after replacing the engine & transmission. For some reason the fan stopped working which was causing my engine to overheat. After a few taps, it started working again. Problem solved. Next problem, I have to add transmission fluid every 3 hours since there seems to be a leak. Also my engine started to idle really roughly. I am taking it back to my home away (local repair shop). I've heard that it may be a leaky pressure hose for the power steering hose. My speedometer also stopped working after my transmission was replaced. Do you have have the same problem? I'm not trying to threadjack but it seems we have the same issues more or less.

[bigbossrickyross]

Heres how it works. When a thermostat is bad it will not open. When it dosnt open on our moters the coolant will not flow to the fan switch. Then the fan switch will not sense how hot the engine is and it will never kick on. After that you can catch it early and its $10. Unfoturnatly Most people just drive cars and dont really understand this so they overheat and the head gasket blows or the head cracks. If its not the Thermostat then the next thing is water pump.

[hatchy_gt-s]

^ Heres how forums work... YOU DONT BRING BACK DEAD POST FOR NO REASON!


P.S. This thread is 4 years old...