My car is overheating. It looks to me like no coolant is being let through the head. The top hose swells up. The bottom hose feels like there is no coolant running through it and it is also not that hot when I squeeze it. I replaced my fan clutch about a week ago so it cant be that. It steams up from the top neck area where the head is. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem?

 

How many miles are on your car? I'm no expert, but it could be a number of things ......bad water pump, thermostat went out, clogged radiator.

 

I'm guessing thermostat....

 

ya it sounds like a thermostat prob.

 

I doubt it is the thermostat since there is no water flow coming out of the motor. A cloggled radiator or a bad water pump could be real good possibilities. Ive taken another look under the hood and so far Im leaning more towards a bad water pump.




My car has 250k+ miles on the motor.

 

Thermostats are only $10, just go get one and then at least you'll know. It'll save you problems down the road.

 

Careless error. It is now 10:30pm. So its nice and dark outside. I decide to take another look at it. I filled the radiator up and took it down the street at high RPMs. I came back, popped the hood, and shined some light at it with a flashlight. It was so much easier to see that the leak coming out from the head was just only a leak coming out from the radiator hose. The hose seams to be leaking from the clamp area. Since the hose is so old I guess it just decided to crack under pressure. Time for a new one.

 

haha, good stuff. It's always the little things. Hope it works out

 

well if there is no water coming in... there can't be any water coming out.... Try thermostat but , use a Toyota one.

 

Assuming it has been a while since you had your coolant replaced....

A leaking hose could be symptomatic of the coolant flow restriction. With your mileage, more than likely a combination of failures.

Radiator clogged... this would be my first test. A good radiator speciality shop can perform tests with the radiator still in the auto. They have access to good value replacements, since this is their business.

Thermostat sticking... Second; replace with a radiator replacement, if a new one is needed

Water pump internal seal failing due to the blockage.... questionable; It's pumping enough to cause the hose to leak.

Additionally, suggest replacing all the water hoses at the same time. Keeps those surprises down to a mininum.

 

Yes I am actually going to go run out and replace all the hoses right now. I was looking into buying some radiator hardpipes to prevent swelling also. Thanks everyone for your advice. These tips I'll definetly keep in mind.