Celica Radiator Issue...i Think

July 28, 2008

Hi there, sorry this is my 1st post and it happens to be a negative one lol.

I own a 1989 Celica ST183 which is the Jap import I believe. It has been fine for years and been absultely pleased with it until the other week after a half hour drive dfrom my girlfreinds once I parked up I could hear wayer bubbling away. Once I opened the bonnet I saw water spitting out of the overflow pipe on the coolant expanasion tank. Aftera few days of this and investiagting I worked out it was the Rad cap and the wayer wernt being cooled down properly and once changed sovled that problem.

Bu know I still have a slight overheating issue which some peopel tell me might be a blocked rad. Once again driving to my girlfirends is fine for about 15 mins and so on but once I hit the miotorway and speed up a bit it starts to overheat and only will come down when i put the heaters on full blast. then it will be fine for a bit then slowly start going up and so on. Im not losing anywater, my oil is topped up and keep a close eye on the temp gauge bnormally and this doesnt normally happen.

I have been told 2 thigns either a blocked rad or the thermostat and I was wandering from youyr guys experince which one normally goes and what does it sound like tyo you.

Any help for a newbie Celica guy would really be appreicated as the rads are hard to find and expensvie (unles anyone is selling one out there) that I hope you could help me.

thanks guys in advance.

July 30, 2008

Hi and welcome, I have an ST183 1991 'vert. Which had a similar problem! It is probably a partially blocked rad causing the problem, particularly if you have no signs of a leak and aren't losing oil or water! I would always change a thermostat at the same time though! I think I am right in saying that you can only get a rad from Mr T. There are a lot of places which will tell you otherwise and assure you that 'their' rad will fit, but it won't. If you keep trying other makes and replacements, it can become very time consuming and frustrating. My advice if you want a faultless exchange and to save car off road time, is to give all the right numbers to Mr T. and swap it over. ;)