97 Corolla Is It Overheating?

[marklfc77]

Hi I have a 97 corolla and I am wondering if there is a quick way to see if my car is running too hot.

The temperature gauge never moves above half way. When I do my drive from work the engine itself seems very hot to touch the pipe running from the engine to the radiator is so warm that you cant hold it, and the pipe running from the radiator to the engine is warm as well. last oct/nov time this pipe was cold when I did the same journey. the thermostat was changed about the same time, but the hose was still cold and would only warm up if you left the car running for about 10-15 mins.

Also when it rains you get a lot of steam coming off the bonnet cause the bonnet is slightly warm to the touch, does it seem that my car is running a bit hot or am I just stupid and imaging things (you don't need to answer the stupid bit!!!!!!!)

finally sometimes when I try to start my car it seems to not want to start it will turn over a few times then it would seem like it is going to start then it dies, when you try again it does the same thing then it would start like it is going to die but when the revs hit 1000rpm it is ok, this happens once every few weeks or longer would this be related?

as you guessed it I know nothing about cars.

[sparco_blues]

What engine is it? whats the milage and what service history has it had?

If the temp gauge isnt going above half way i wouldnt worry about it unless your gauge is broken, which i wouldnt have thought so.

[bigshark]

i dont think that there is anything to worry about. steam comes off my bonnet sometimes when it rains, its coz the bonnet is so thin! so i wouldnt worry about it as long as the temp gauge is working as sparco said!

[marklfc77]

hi its a 4efe and its only done 35,000 miles full service history

[Sooty]

Don't worry yourself about the temp.

That is all normal.

As for the starting problem it may just be that the fuel is evapourating while the engine is warm so when starting the fuel has to be drawn up from the tank.

HTH

Sooty

[Riotus]

Hi I have a 97 corolla and I am wondering if there is a quick way to see if my car is running too hot.

The temperature gauge never moves above half way. When I do my drive from work the engine itself seems very hot to touch the pipe running from the engine to the radiator is so warm that you cant hold it, and the pipe running from the radiator to the engine is warm as well. last oct/nov time this pipe was cold when I did the same journey. the thermostat was changed about the same time, but the hose was still cold and would only warm up if you left the car running for about 10-15 mins.

Also when it rains you get a lot of steam coming off the bonnet cause the bonnet is slightly warm to the touch, does it seem that my car is running a bit hot or am I just stupid and imaging things (you don't need to answer the stupid bit!!!!!!!)

finally sometimes when I try to start my car it seems to not want to start it will turn over a few times then it would seem like it is going to start then it dies, when you try again it does the same thing then it would start like it is going to die but when the revs hit 1000rpm it is ok, this happens once every few weeks or longer would this be related?

as you guessed it I know nothing about cars.

A little bit late to the party i know - but...!! I had exactly the same concerns with my '97 1.6GS (4A-FE engine) and so popped it to the local Toyota dealer. They checked everything for me and said it was running fine, all fans kicking in as and when they should, and the temp gauge was fine as well. Hope thats of some use?

[diego]

Hi I have a 97 corolla and I am wondering if there is a quick way to see if my car is running too hot.

The temperature gauge never moves above half way. When I do my drive from work the engine itself seems very hot to touch the pipe running from the engine to the radiator is so warm that you cant hold it, and the pipe running from the radiator to the engine is warm as well. last oct/nov time this pipe was cold when I did the same journey. the thermostat was changed about the same time, but the hose was still cold and would only warm up if you left the car running for about 10-15 mins.

Also when it rains you get a lot of steam coming off the bonnet cause the bonnet is slightly warm to the touch, does it seem that my car is running a bit hot or am I just stupid and imaging things (you don't need to answer the stupid bit!!!!!!!)

finally sometimes when I try to start my car it seems to not want to start it will turn over a few times then it would seem like it is going to start then it dies, when you try again it does the same thing then it would start like it is going to die but when the revs hit 1000rpm it is ok, this happens once every few weeks or longer would this be related?

as you guessed it I know nothing about cars.

hi sir, that is quite normal. but make it a part of your routine before using your car to check the radiator if it has enough water and coolant and make sure the radiator fan is working and the hoses are not leaking. :)