JCC511

Changed the radiator and hoses out somewhat recently. Going to try adding coolant to the radiator when I get it home and cooled down. Do you think the thermostat has gone out? Reservoir was boiling and coolant sputtering out through the overflow tube. Temperature gauge pegged until engine is stopped to allow cooling down.

nsghtbrwry

Could be, but in my experience on the OBDII ES's a failed thermostat will throw a code. Not saying it can't fail without throwing a code.

I'd do the glove test over the radiator cap opening to see if you have a blown head gasket.


Stick a glove over the opening and zip tie or rubber band it down. If it starts inflating, you're leaking combustion gases into the coolant.

LeX2K

See this thread your car has a hydraulic cooling fan not electric. First thing is to check the power steering fluid level and go from there.

JCC511

I am not sure how to attach the glove. Do I remove a hose to do that? I need to get under the hood and look at that video again.

I will check on this. It is has not overheated before. I wonder if I did not get enough coolant in back when I replaced the radiator. That was months ago.

Thank you both!

nsghtbrwry

+1 to what L2k said about the hydraulic cooling fan on these older ES's. For the glove test, take the radiator cap off when cold, take a disposable glove and attach it over the opening. Use a zip tie or rubber bands to prevent leaking while you start the engine and watch it to see if it inflates. If it does, you are leaking combustion gases into the coolant.

JCC511

I see. The radiator cap on the Camry in the video is on the radiator. My radiator cap is next to the engine on the left.

nsghtbrwry

Yes, on the 1MZ it's on the water outlet.

JCC511

Thank you. When trying this, does the engine need to be pretty well warmed up for the glove to inflate? I noticed some of the rubber gasket material is deteriorated inside of the radiator cap. I should go ahead and change that and probably need to look at adding coolant since I lost some while overheating. I will try the glove test tomorrow after the engine is warmed up. It is starting to rain outside and I do not have shelter to work under. I appreciate the help!

nsghtbrwry

Hm, I would imagine start with the engine cold, because exhaust gases will pressurize the system and inflate the glove before the coolant gets hot enough to boil or the thermostat opens. I can't find any good documentation, and that video seems to have evaporated, so here's more tests: