Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Noticed after pulling into a services that steam was coming from the bonnet. Had a look and the plastic lid from the expansion tank had popped off. There wasn't much water in the bottle so I filled it up and we got back on the road. Everything seemed ok at the next stop... no steam, but who knows what the engine temp was with the stock dash gauge?! Had a little wide open time on the way home and could hear the radiator boiling/bubbling after killing the engine. She's definitely getting a tad warm. BTW, I had a look under the car after refilling the expansion tank and couldn't see any leaks. Going to take it off the road until I've narrowed down the problem. Thinking it could be a worn water pump? Any suggestions welcome. Edited November 9, 2013 by Big Supes (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) What rad cap is on it ? sounds very much like thats letting the pressure out the system too easily below the required running pressure hence it popped the expansion tank cap off. Unless you know its not very old i'd replace that and re fill the expansion tank to the max mark, fill up the rad and bleed out any air, if there's air in the system the coolant will boil which is pretty much what you have happening Use Ethylene glycol premix, not tap water I doubt its the water pump Edited November 9, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Thanks, Dunk. I'll give that a try. I'm presuming the tank cap is oe, but will double check when it stops raining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Thanks, Dunk. I'll give that a try. I'm presuming the tank cap is oe, but will double check when it stops raining. For what they cost it would be the first thing to try, obviously check for other problems, heater matrix hoses are a common place to fail, between the engine and bulkhead, also check the footwell isnt damp as the matrix are also getting a bit prone to leaking too. Make sure you get a stock rad cap, best from Toyota at the correct bar rating Edited November 9, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 I'll order one up from Toyota right away and have a check over the heater matrix pipes. That's a great help - much appreciated mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 No problem, happy to help having been there and had exactly this happen on my car. Is your heater still blowing out nice and hot on the max setting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Rad cap ordered... Oddly Toyota said they don't stock a separate cap for the UK TT. You have to buy a new radiator! He ordered a NA rad cap so we can compare the two. Haven't managed to check the heaters....I didn't notice them going cold. With all this rain, I'll leave it under the cover and check everything once I have the new cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Rad cap ordered... Oddly Toyota said they don't stock a separate cap for the UK TT. You have to buy a new radiator! He ordered a NA rad cap so we can compare the two. Haven't managed to check the heaters....I didn't notice them going cold. With all this rain, I'll leave it under the cover and check everything once I have the new cap. He is talking out of this backside, they are definately available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 He is talking out of this backside, they are definately available! Just about to say the same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 He is talking out of this backside, they are definately available! I always seem to have this problem when going to main dealers! Do you stock OE rad caps, Paul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Quite a few Toyota dealers are awful, my two local ones are crap at best when it comes to the parts dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Quite a few Toyota dealers are awful, my two local ones are crap at best when it comes to the parts dept. Every time I went to Nissan for parts of my 200sx, I would go through the same experience. Head + wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Whiffin Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I always seem to have this problem when going to main dealers! Do you stock OE rad caps, Paul? I don't stock them but can get them if needed. I have my own 1.3 bar rad caps available too if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 If Paul hasn't got one give Steve Manley a call at Inchcape Toyota Oxford, he's pretty much on the ball parts wise for either UK or J specs 01865 291333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 I don't stock them but can get them if needed. I have my own 1.3 bar rad caps available too if needed. If Paul hasn't got one give Steve Manley a call at Inchcape Toyota Oxford, he's pretty much on the ball parts wise for either UK or J specs 01865 291333 Cheers, guys. Paul, is the 1.3 bar cap rated higher than the OE cap? Could you PM your availability and price posted to Southampton, please? Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Managed to look over Supes today and immediately noticed the problem... The top rad hose was loose... at both ends! Tighten it up, refilled the system and bled it. Everything seems to be 100% again. Just one thing... can anyone confirm what sounds like an air leak coming from the power steering pump region as normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger NE Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I must say, my local Toyota Dealer are GREAT at getting parts . . . even spend ages on the phone with you to identify something silly like a bolt or a spring clip that costs £1-50 . . and order it so it arrives the next day . . . then phone you to tell you it's arrived. First class service! Maybe we should start a Name & Shame/Praise Toyota Dealers thread on here?! Personally though, I'd never buy something like a Radiator Cap from a Main Dealer ! (Just as I'm sure you wouldn't buy a new battery or brake pads) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrashcanman Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Managed to look over Supes today and immediately noticed the problem... The top rad hose was loose... at both ends! Tighten it up, refilled the system and bled it. Everything seems to be 100% again. Just one thing... can anyone confirm what sounds like an air leak coming from the power steering pump region as normal? This just when the car is running mate or when turning the steering from lock to lock? Doesn't sound to normal to me :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Managed to look over Supes today and immediately noticed the problem... The top rad hose was loose... at both ends! Tighten it up, refilled the system and bled it. Everything seems to be 100% again. Just one thing... can anyone confirm what sounds like an air leak coming from the power steering pump region as normal? Scary someone left it like that and good news you spotted it. Shouldn't be any leaks down there, have you checked the ps reservoir, any bubbles in it when you turn the steering ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 This just when the car is running mate or when turning the steering from lock to lock? Doesn't sound to normal to me :/ Just as it's idling. Don't remember the sound being there before. Could be coming from the throttle body... Scary someone left it like that and good news you spotted it. Shouldn't be any leaks down there, have you checked the ps reservoir, any bubbles in it when you turn the steering ? Didn't notice any bubbles, but will have a check tomorrow. I think I'll get some leak detector spray in the meantime and have a little investigate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) Check the intercooler connections Also go round all the other coolant pipework seeing as the top hose was loose. Edited November 11, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 Had a little investigation with the leak detector spray this evening, but couldn't find anything... Here's a quick clip... you can hear the air leak/noise I'm talking about in the background.... https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=A19282F02452AA16!3435&authkey=!AIwTW4UK3GUxbCM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Supes Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 Does anyone have any tips for bleeding the coolant system? Had a brief search, but couldn't find any threads... Having a bit of a mare getting the last of the air out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 (edited) Just run it, it will self bleed if everything is working as it should. Just keep one eye on the temp gauge and check the levels in the rad and expansion tank when its cool. Rad should be full to the filler neck, check the hose from the rad neck to the expansion tank is okay, i had one that had a little split in it a while ago and let air get drawn back into the system. Edited December 27, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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