2002 Toyota Corolla Car Overheating!

Tiny
DJB29
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 89,000 MILES
My car is overheating, and I have now have the engine warning light on, (orange in colour).

The engine temperature gauge on the dash climbs right up to the red and drops back to a normal level intermmittantly. I hear a hissing sound when the engine is turned off after running for around 10 minutes or more.

Since the engine warning light has come it, the car is driving sluggish. I cannot get it to a garage until friday.

Any ideas what it could be?
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 5:27 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
92 MAX
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Hi D

Wait until the engine is cold to the touch then check and top up the radiator with water, leave the cap off and start the car up turn heater control to hottest setting, fan set to low speed. Check continuosly to top up with water, as the engine warms a little the level will tend to fluctuate a little. After it has settled a little have a friend hold the car at around 1500rpm and observe the water in the radiator, observe to see if any bubble show up, if so have your local check the cylinder head for compression leakage into the cooling system.

The hissing sound is not good, If you cannot get the car sorted then it'll be worth your while to travel with a friend as overheating can be terminal !
Once problem sorted fflush and fill your cooling system with correct mix of antifreeze and water as this also reduces corrosion. Be careful with any left over antifreeze as it's very toxic or fatal to dogs.

Regards Don

New Zealand
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
I would only add to what MAX said, DO NOT DRIVE the car.

You take a real chance of cracking or warping the head, If a VVT-I head you are looking at several thousand dollars to repair.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 7:56 AM

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