overheating

[carl]

my 2.4td blew engine coolant out of the expansion bottle today, i have since had a look at it, and after cleaing , took it for a test drive, gave it a good thrash,all gauges read ok, but when got back onn the drive, lft it on tick over, lfted he bonnet, and watched. with it idling, noticed the expansion bottle filling up,bubble and gurgle, like it was overheating, and sure enough some flid came out the overflow pipe, what could cause this, just on tick over, after engine up to normal operating temp? thermostat, waterpump failure, how can i be sure?

[jotto]

my 2.4td blew engine coolant out of the expansion bottle today, i have since had a look at it, and after cleaing , took it for a test drive, gave it a good thrash,all gauges read ok, but when got back onn the drive, lft it on tick over, lfted he bonnet, and watched. with it idling, noticed the expansion bottle filling up,bubble and gurgle, like it was overheating, and sure enough some flid came out the overflow pipe, what could cause this, just on tick over, after engine up to normal operating temp? thermostat, waterpump failure, how can i be sure?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it could be your head has gone, a very basic test is to start it from cold and only run the engine for a couple of mins turn it off then undo rad cap if it pushes water out then your head has probably gone.

[carl]

overheating

i thought it might not be the head, as i correct my first post a little, it was alright all the time engie was running, then when i turned it off, was when the coolant started to rise and bubble, like it was getting hot rather than being pressurised, thats why i was wondering about loss of coolant flow around the engine?

[Koi]

i thought it might not be the head, as i correct my first post a little, it was alright all the time engie was running, then when i turned it off, was when the coolant started to rise and bubble, like it was getting hot rather than being pressurised, thats why i was wondering about loss of coolant flow around the engine?

From absolute cold, remove rad cap and start it, if it push's coolant out pretty quick (it may overflow gently/very little) its probably your head.

It may have been an air lock that has moved, fill to required levels and check again.
May be the water pump has gone, this would cause overheating more so on tickover.

Remove rad cap and fill to the brim with coolant, do not fill it via the expansion bottle, it as it is an expansion bottle, only fill to marked line on the side when cold.
Run the engine up and see how it goes, as said may have been airlock???

Only sure fire way of telling if its the head is to get it pressure tested.

[carl]

right, i just went out and started it from cold,with the rad cap off, on the thermostat housing, and within one minute the coolant rose up and started to flow out of the rad cap ole, so i guess it does sound like pressure troubles, damm, thought we'd got away ith it!

[NiftyNev]

After an engine is stopped it will always get a little hotter and have a bit more pressure because of the heat stored in the block and head.If the radiator cap seal is not in good condition this can cause extra coolant to escape to the expansion tank.Try a new cap and check the thermostat before you run out and buy a new head.Even if you still have to get the head you should replace both these so it is worth a try.

Neville

[PabloO]

bad luck mate,just had mine done(check my recent post) it's a cracked head.no doubt..

[Toneboy]

this seems to be a common problem which is how I come to be here. My son bought last week an imported Surf and has just phoned me to say that the local Toyota garage has told him the head has cracked. This is a common problem with this engine and the Toyota garage told Nick that Toyota have issued a modified head to solve the problem.

somewhere ther must be more info on this 2.4 head modification, has anybody any ideas

[marky]

UK CYLINDER HEADS SUPPLY MODIFIED HEAD COMPLETE WITH CAM ETC

There was a design fault on some of the heads, the waterways were to near the valve guides and did indeed crack. There was local recall on these but as with all imports you don't get any service history etc.
The new heads have been redesigned, its not worth getting a recon head or getting one stitched/repaired they will simply go again.
Only way to go is get a NEW head get it fitted with new stretch bolts gaskets etc and enjoy many more happy miles with your motor.

http://www.ukcylinderheads.co.uk/

[cmr356]

my 2.4 did the same i found it was the rad cap fitted a new one and had no trouble for 18 months just an idea to try a new cap.

[marky]

thermostat & radiator cap can both cause symptoms so advice is to have it pressure tested if the above does not solve problem

[Derek T M]

Yo Guys, The thermostat might have seized shut, causing the overheating. My 2.4td , 90' did the same.
After fitting a new one no further problems. Changing the rad cap is a good idea as well.
Might as well check the cheap stuff first!!!

Derek

[Toneboy]

Thanks Marky, I fugured it must be something along those lines and was also sure that Toyota would have found an answer.

My lad just about knows where the fuel goes in so the garage that sold him the car are now trying to stitch him up with asking him to meet half the cost on a vehicle in which he has not covered 400km.

If their was a Toyota recall I wonder if we can get them to come to the party, worth a try.

[marky]

the garage must provide a 3 month warranty by law. trading standards will tell you youre rights on this as the garage will always try and fob you off, if he got it on finance the finance company will fight for you as they own the vehicle not you

[carl]

Well after a lot of phone calls, I have found a Toyota mechanic, who works for a dealership, and does private work in his own time, so my SSR G 2.4td goes into his garage Sunday, but after he took me through a few very simple tests. If the thermosat is stuck, this can be checked by feeling the top rad hose, if the engine is at normal operating temperature this hose should be hot, if its cold change the stat. The rad cap raises the pressure of the boiling point of water, so this may have contributed, but the one that proved decisive was to remove the lid of the expansion bottle, but keep the end of the return hose immersed in the coolant, if you can see bubbles coming out(like blowing through a straw) its a sure sign of gas in the coolant, and the only way this can get in there is via the head or headgasket. But they have known Toyotas run like that for months, as long as you check the coolant daily if its not dropping, you can continue to use it, until you are reday to get the work done.My surf runs perfectly apart from the air bubbles circulating in the system, but its going in to him for repairs Sunday. He can save me 15% on OEM parts, and his labour is alot less than the dealers £70 per hour + VAT! They dont like imports, so they charge more!?