car overheating question

[mgcorreia]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1997 Toyota 4runner with 207k miles, 4 cyl. Last night I made a two hour trip in the car by freeway and as I was nearing my destination I couldn't help but notice the cars thermostat gauge. It would slowly rise up from being in the middle of the hot/cold range up to hot, stay there for a few moments making me nervous, and then fall back down to the middle of the range. Nothing lit up on my dash during the drive, and there was no other signs that the car was overheating.

I just got the car so I don't know much about it and this is the farthest I've driven it so far. Last weekend I did a radiator flush on it. Any ideas? My best guess is my thermostat is probably going out. Thanks

 

[Skidmarcx]

Possible fab clutch... I'd first check the condenser and radiator fins for obstruction... Make sure the fan shroud is intact... If there is any doubt as to the condition of the coolant you may as well do a flush and new tstat

 

[02SE]

Last weekend I did a radiator flush on it. Any ideas?

I would be willing to bet there were/are air pockets in the system, and that there is not enough coolant/water mix in the cooling system. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and see if the radiator is full. If not fill it up with a 50/50 coolant distilled water mix, then also fill the overflow reservoir to the full line marked on the side of the reservoir.

If that proves to not be the problem, there are several other possibilities to consider.

 

[mgcorreia]

Yeah your right given that the problem started right after my coolant flush. Just looking at the resvoir before and after driving it I see there is no coolant in there....even though it was it the full mark when I did the coolant flush. I also blead it by cranking the heater up and running the car until the coolant came out of the radiator cap at the time of the flush. Maybe I didn't bleed it enough or screwed something up.