Cooling Problems On Carina E

[stillCarinaBoy]

Hi all,

I've recently been given a Carina E and am trying to fix a few problems that it has. I'm struggling with a cooling problem though. I feel like goldilocks... too cold... too hot...

When driving, the temperature gauge was just above cold. When idling, it warmed up to half way (50%). As soon as it was driven, it would cool again. The upper and lower radiator hoses would get warm.

I wondered if the stat was stuck open, and so I bought a new thermostat from Toyota and put it on. After this, according to the gauge, the engine ran at the right temperature all of time. However, The lower radiator hose (which has the stat at the engine end) was always cold. Even after 20 mins driving @ 70mph.

I wondered if the thermostat was stuck closed, (and i couldn't think of any other explaination), so I bought a cheap pattern part thermostat from a motor factor. Now, the temperature runs about 40% when driving and back up to 50% when idling. The lower radiator hose now warms up.

Assuming I've been able to expel any trapped air (and believe me, I've TRIED!)... any ideas? Three stats, three different results. Apparantly, according to the previous owner, the problem started after changing the radiator.

It's never overheated.

Ideas/advice would be most appreciated.

Dave.

[s m smith]

Hi all,

I've recently been given a Carina E and am trying to fix a few problems that it has. I'm struggling with a cooling problem though. I feel like goldilocks... too cold... too hot...

When driving, the temperature gauge was just above cold. When idling, it warmed up to half way (50%). As soon as it was driven, it would cool again. The upper and lower radiator hoses would get warm.

I wondered if the stat was stuck open, and so I bought a new thermostat from Toyota and put it on. After this, according to the gauge, the engine ran at the right temperature all of time. However, The lower radiator hose (which has the stat at the engine end) was always cold. Even after 20 mins driving @ 70mph.

I wondered if the thermostat was stuck closed, (and i couldn't think of any other explaination), so I bought a cheap pattern part thermostat from a motor factor. Now, the temperature runs about 40% when driving and back up to 50% when idling. The lower radiator hose now warms up.

Assuming I've been able to expel any trapped air (and believe me, I've TRIED!)... any ideas? Three stats, three different results. Apparantly, according to the previous owner, the problem started after changing the radiator.

It's never overheated.

Ideas/advice would be most appreciated.

Dave.

Hi, the 3 stats you tried did they have the same temperature rateing, i once bought a stat and they gave me one with a differant opening temperature it made quite a bit of differance.I would also flush the whole system, and check the tempiture sender unit, but if its not overheating i would not worry to much. It seems strange it started when the last owner changed the rad??

[stillCarinaBoy]

Hi, thanks for the response.

They all say 82 degrees.

The first stat, where the car ran cold does appear to be more open than the latter 2. If it is put in a pan of water, it does open further though.

I wish I could explain the change after the new radiator too....

David.

[gazza1286]

The Genuine Toyota stat will be correct. In the winter it is not unusaul to see that the needle is on the half-way and the lower hose cool. The air flow over the engine will be sufficient for cooling. The best way to check is to leave the engine idling (an stationary) and monitor. The stat will eventually open and the lower hose will warm up. BTW it is unusual to have an air lock on these engines.

[stillCarinaBoy]

Hi Gazza,

Thanks for the reply.

I have left it idling for 15 minutes, and then gave up. Do you think longer than that is required?

I'll swap back to the Toyota stat if you think that's right.

Thanks again.

Dave.

[gazza1286]

It is cold tho. If the needle remains at the horizontal level there is no problem. If the needle continued to climb and the bottom hose remained cool - then you'd have a problem.

I'd monitor it - leave until the warmer weather and see how it goes then. You might find that the slight movements in the needle you are noticing with the copy stat become more pronounced in the summer.