i know this isn't a toyota forum, but i have a 92 civic hatch and i always come here for problems regarding my engine and u guys always provide me with a slew of info to get the job done on it. my girls car (95 toyota tercel) is overheating very quickly, the temp gauge goes up all the way to H after about 2 minutes of driving, but it goes down when ur driving at speed, but when it stops it goes right back up, my thoughts were the thermostat, but it was just replaced last year (or was a quick fix trick, can't remember what was done) but i figured it was either that or a head gasket, but it doesn't run like the head gasket has been blown or anything like that, and theres no leaking around it. so i'm at loss as to what it could be besides a malfunctioning hose or a sensor. please help asap. thanks guys.

 

Maybe fan clutch?

 

Have you checked your fuses to make sure they're good.I had the same problem but I changed my thermostat again.And I had just changed my thermostat about two months ago.Maybe a defective one.gl

 

thats what i thought

 

Test out the thermostat by putting it in a bowl of near boiling water to see if it opens up. Once I bought a new [aftermarket] one that didn't open, so I exchanged it and problem solved.

One trick my dad did to his overheating '76 corolla, which you should try at your own risk... Was to drill small holes in the side of the thermostat. I guess it flowed enough water to keep the engine cooler.

Does the radiator fan constantly turn on? Does it turn on at all?
Does the coolant look right?
Is the radiator corroded to death?
Is there a kink in the radiator hose? One time, I saw a head gasket go and oil leaked into the coolant. It made the radiator hoses expand, and one expanded to the point it collapsed on itself. Instant overheat.

 

i had this same problem as well. if its not the thermostat, check your water level and make sure there is no air pockets in your system if you havent already. im not sure about toyotas, but hondas have a bleeder screw to remove the air.

 

will do. thanks all for being cool about this, help is appreciated.

 

check the radiator cap... replaced it if tis busted.

 

nah the radiator cap is fine, i replaced the thermostat today and its still doing the same thing, only now its starting to stay hot, and the heater is blowing cold air instead of hot air, any ideas?

 

radiator fan turns on and off fine, i checked for kinks and couldn't see any

 

waterpump maybe?

 

any ideas at all?