toyotasuprauk Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 When I put my car away yesterday I could hear a bubbling boiling sound coming from the radiator. I thought there was a leak so got it back out again but all looked normal no leaks and there was just a bit of water in the expansion tank. Later that day driving in the heat in some traffic with the air con on and I noticed that the temperature gauge was higher than normal so I pulled into a car park and I could hear the bubbling sound again. I waited for it to cool down thinking I might need to top up the water but the radiator and the expansion tank where completely full. Then drove home without it overheating. Anyone got any ideas what this could be, do I need a new rad cap or could there perhaps not been enough coolant in the water? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Could be an air bubble in the system as well?? Would check that out.. But in this heat be careful and don't take too many risks.. Gav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 19, 2005 Author Share Posted June 19, 2005 Thanks, I'm going to go out soon so hopefully it wont do it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Sounds like you need a new rad cap to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 As Nic said try a new cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 [quote name= there was just a bit of water in the expansion tank. [/quote] check the coolant level when the engines hot it dumps excess coolant into the expansion tank, as the engine cools down it draws it back into the rad, so when you said there was just a bit of water there should have been about 3/4 of a tank full Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 [quote name= there was just a bit of water in the expansion tank. [/quote]check the coolant level when the engines hot it dumps excess coolant into the expansion tank, as the engine cools down it draws it back into the rad, so when you said there was just a bit of water there should have been about 3/4 of a tank full When the cap is knackered too much of the coolant passes into the tank and out on to the road. Leaving a low tank once the system has cooled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 19, 2005 Author Share Posted June 19, 2005 I'm afraid it overheated again today! I had the air con running and the temperature gauge run up to just over 3/4 from a 1/2. I had to open the windows and sit in a traffic jam with the heater on full which wasn't nice but reduced the temperature quickly. There was the same bubbling sound from the radiator and it looked as if water had been spitting from around the rad cap onto the battery etc. When the car was hot the expansion tank and radiator where completely full. Rather strangely I drove home a few hours later for about a 30 minute drive expecting to overheat and the temperature was fine and when I stopped there was no bubbling sound although the external temperature was lower. Maybe I should get the new rad cap first and see what happens. Can I get it from any car place or should it be Toyota? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Rad cap 1st.... coolant flush and change 2nd.... check water pump after that (pressure, leaks?)... then worry about more sinister things like the HG. Cheers, Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 19, 2005 Author Share Posted June 19, 2005 I hope its just the cap although I might change the coolant too as it doesnt look that clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Also forgot........ may just be your thermostat. Cheers, Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Could also be a blocked radiator. Aircon is a bastard for forcing out little niggly cooling problems into big ouch overheating problems. I know it hurts this time of year but seriously don't use your aircon until you find out what the problem is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 yep... get car up to temp then feel the back of the rad, checking for areas cooler or hotter than the rest of the rad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 19, 2005 Author Share Posted June 19, 2005 I think its almost impossible to touch the radiator as theres so much in the way but I'll give it a go. It does seem strange that this problem has only started since the air con has been on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Like i said aircon shows up trouble that you normally wouldnt notice. If you have a blocked rad or a dodgy rad cap etc extra heat generated with aircon will show it up straight away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Who sells the rad caps?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 You can get trd caps from most traders on here and ebay as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Cheers mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_doo_do Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Was about to post the same problem i've just had with mine going to le mans.. Had the car serviced then we drove over - got to a certain point and i realised the temp was about 3/4 and normally it doesn't budge so i pulled over straight away.. It sounded like lots of bubbling noises... so we let it cool down a bit and took off the rad cap and run the car.. and a few bubbles came up.. So we topped it up with water and off we went... Drove the other 300 miles and it was fine.. Coming back........ Same problem... temp rose but only when i was pushing the car over 70ish...didn't like any strain at all including going up hills... turned on the heater to full and it went down to normal... Just had to drive for 8 hours with the heater on... Going to look at it later as i need some sleep first.. but any ideas or help would be great... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 As others have said mate, possibly the rad cap is knackered. Or the rad is blocked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaveriK Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 I have a new RAD cap if you need it for much cheapness, its for an import. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 20, 2005 Author Share Posted June 20, 2005 Sounds like the exact same problem scooby doo. Let me know the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Change the cap first before a coolant change. If that does not do it I would suspect the water pump, there have been a few with broken blades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted June 20, 2005 Author Share Posted June 20, 2005 My local Toyota didnt have the cap today so its coming in Wednesday! £9.38 inc vat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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