In our lovely old 1994 manual Toyota Tarago I have a recent issue. What is, or are, the likely problem/s? In general the car still drives wonderfully and has been regularly serviced.
After a moderately short trip of say 25kms the coolant in the reservoir will start boiling and overflowing.
Now that cold weather has started I also note that the heater is not putting out warm air.
The temperature gauge remains normal and the car has normal power and performance.
Is there likely to be one issue or could there be several please?
Boiling Coolant and Heater Issue
Bill48 on 29/05/2025 - 12:30
Comments
They should fail open but stranger things have happened.
start boiling and overflowing.
Is it boiling or just bubbling?
If it's bubbling then there could be an air pocket in the cooling system or blown head gasket allowing exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
Cheapest first check is look at the radiator cap. Is it still sealing properly?
Boiling. I'll check the cap.
Is your coolant fresh and changed as often as it should be? Start by getting a new radiator cap, Check the radiator innards,the thermostat,the water pump for play ,belts all cooling system hoses) bottom radiator hose might be collapsing.Or take it to the ppl who service our car. Which was how long ago? And no, a service in't just an oil change. Does the inside of the overflow bottle look 'dirty' ?
Is there any surface slick in their or visible in the radiator water? No white crap on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap?No white crap
My milkshake brings my Tarago to the junkyard
Damn right…..🎶🎵🎼Crikey, very expensive milk shake.(I guess it won't get lonely
:(
Radiator cap isn't holding pressure. Replace and retry.
If it still does it after that, then you are going to need a pressure test done on the system and a head gasket leak test.
If your heater isn't blowing hot air, then there could be a huge air lock in the system and it needs "burping".
ahh the joys of driving a mid-engine, rear drive, manual exotic car
Actually it has been the most reliable of any of my vehicles. It has never not started except for a battery issue. A few bits and pieces have been replaced including the manual gearbox many years ago. And I have always wished it had an overdrive ratio because at highway speeds it does over 3000 revs, which is heavy on fuel.
We never want to get rid of it because it owes our family of 5 nothing.Don't worry the rust will probably end its run soon enough.
There an even more exotic version that is supercharged.
Take it to a radiator repair shop and ask for a diagnosis.
Thermostat stuck in closed position