Just got my 1st car a 91 mr2 turbo and I already got problems, someone please help!?

[Robyn923b]

Hello guys,

I started posting on this website about 2 weeks ago, with a post taht says "I'm a 17 year old kid" I registered the car and got insurance (cost me $3,900 a year)
and paid the taxes and everything, now the car is giving me problems.

The red engine comparment cooling fan light came on the dash and then I parked the car and the it started overheating and the engine comparment fan won't kick in, I tested it and it works, but not when installed in the engine? why? idk someone help me?

Also I was driving it the other day to CVS and it started overheating and hot air startted coming out of a hose and there was coolant all over the engine and started making little clouds of coolant and I looked like a fool, and then a lot of coolant started coming from under the car that became a bug puddle of coolant, so I refilled the engine with coolant and filled the coolant bottle and 2 days after the same thing happened again, an the engine compartment fan isn't working but I took it out and tested it and it does work.The car has 142k miles I did a compression check and I got 170-180 PSI in all cylinders, so it's not a blown head gasket. I'm very frustrated, cause this is my 1st car and I spent all the money I had on it and now it's giving me these problems and I dont' know what to do. Can someone please help me!

[wiccanferret]

This is normal stuff for a 17 year old car, even a Toyota. You can't expect it to be perfect.

The first thing I would check is your radiator cap. Make sure the seal looks good under it.

[BDSL]

I think you are confused between the engine fan (right beside the intercooler) and the radiator fan....both serves different purpose.

The intercooler fan turns on when the engine bay temperature reaches a certain set point. It has NOTHING to do with the water temperature.

A thermostat regulates the water temperature. When it fails, it fails open...meaning the water temperature will be BELOW the operating temperature.

What you are describing is probably:
1. A loose/busted water hose
2. Something clogging your hose
3. Air in the water line

I suggest you flush your radiator and fill up your coolant properly.

You should change the title to:
"Just got my 1st car a 91 mr2 turbo and I already got problems...And I am only 17 years old!!"

[MR2Jedi]

A thermostat can also malfunction and remain closed not allowing the water the flow . That can lead to overheating too. Are your radiator fans working? You should be able to hear them.
You should also follow the above suggestions in your search to resolve your problem.

[carrebuilder]

if your fans dont come on but they work when you put 12 volts to it they do its probably a relay check the resistanses in your cooling fan relay. i had a similar problem with my AW11. it was fine driving but would over heat at a stop and idle.

[Dreams0099]

I THINK if you unplug the temp sensors for the fans they run continuously. Might be an easy way to see if they are working or not. Or apply 12v to the 2 fans up front and see if they kick on. If not then see if they are getting 12v and a good ground or see if the motors are burned out in them.

Replacing the thermostat, radiator cap, and checking the hoses for leaks is also a very very good idea. Might also see if you have a lot of dirt or other residue in the coolant, sometimes that debris will clog up the smaller part of the hoses and cause the motor to overheat.

Might also see when the last time the water pump was replaced. If it isn't pumping correctly it might cause the motor to overheat. It's also a good time to replace the timing belt and drive belts.

[Henry0313]

i agree with all that check if the thermostat is still working flush ur coolling system, only because ur fans work when u take them out to test them dosent mean there nothing wrong probebly u dont have ground or ur relay is blown an u have to get a new one or the cap for the radiator. and also when u too the cooling flush turn on your a/c put it on full blast and on really hot or you would get air on it again