1999 Corolla Gs

[Beachbuggy]

Hi, it started this morning on my way to work.

In a queue my car is normally fine, still doesn't get any warmer than half way on the scale, BUT today it was right up with the red line!

I have had to add coolant before, but I can't remember if I am to add water anywhere OR even where my water should go, can find everything but my water (strange as it sounds) and I have Coolant written on my radiator cap.

Do I need water aswell? or just coolant?

Oh, and sometimes the needle goes up if i am going down a hill, but that can't be gravity, AND the engine didn't seem really any warmer than normal for a 17 degree morning. Maybe my sensor is knackered?

Thanks in advance

[4afte]

best to use 50% coolant and 50% water just pour it into the radiator. if the temperature increases as you go down hill it'll be because all of the water in the system has moved into the radiator and out of the engine, heating the block up. it sounds like your water pump may have failed in which case get a new one fast before you kill the engine.

[ae111sr]

It sounds to me as though you need a new thermostat. If your using Toyota coolant you use it neat - don't add water.

[Beachbuggy]

Well I got 1.5L of a 50/50 mix into my radiator :), think the pump is working fine just had nothing to pump around the engine

[4afte]

yeah that might not help, having no coolant

[Beachbuggy]

Naa well it only holds 3L and I go .75L of water and .75L of coolant :S, Gonna have a good scan over my engine at the weekend for leaks, and check I havn't melted anything!

If I have then I upgrade to on of my project cars as I have been wanting to but couldn't afford the insurance but now being 21 with 4 years NCB it aint too bad for anything good :)

[bigshark]

that mite explain the engine heating up when going down hill as there is not enough coolant! if you look at the plastic resovoir bottle there are minimum and maximum writen on it, the fluid level should idealy be inbetween that!

[Beachbuggy]

I have seen that, just thought it was an over flow bottle, havn't seen anything in it for ages, will have a look now that i actually have some coolant ;)

My car is now running fine, it levels just under half way up the, the, the, erm you know the thing LMAO! (The level?). Also I have noticed that I get warm air from my heaters now :D, was away for the Renault series at the weekend and after 30 mins (at 5am in 8 degrees) my car still had not warmed the air, now I know why!