Engine overheat and cool air -thermostat?

Yesterday coming home from work in -10 C, a 26 km drive,

I was getting just cold air through the heater. I was watching the temp

guage all the way home and as I got near my home about 20 minutes in,
the temp guage on my pickup was at the red line.


Once parked in driveway, I noticed the rad pushingbubbling fluid into
the
overflow and could smell hot antifreeze.


I have noticed the past few weeks that the temp guage has been rising
but then would suddenly start to go down esp. if I turned on the heater
and it seemed unusual at the time
so I have been watching it. --yesterday was the first time, it did not
go down. I went for a little drive later that evening and this time,
the temp rose even faster -7 minute drive to move temp guage close to
red and
still no heat from heater.


I assumed/read that you would have one or the other,
that is, engine overheats so thermostat is stuck in closed position
No heat in car so thermostat is stuck in open position.


I seem to have both scenerio's going on.


Any thoughts -is it even the thermostat?
if so, I know the thermostat is relatively inexpensive? should I buy
3rd party or from dealer
and finally, how long/shop time to replace one (I am assuming one hour
or so) and is it worth trying to do it myself?

Many thanks in advance

 

Cross-posted to Chrysler and Subaru groups? That must be some mongrel
vehicle you got.

Phil

 

The symptoms that you describe are exactly what I experienced when the
headgasket on my Dodge Spirit 2.5L went. Exhaust gases entering the
cooling system would push the coolant in the recovery tank. Once the
coolant was low, the heater would not work.

I would suggest having the cooling system checked. I may be just the
thermostat, which would be inexpensive.

Which engine do you have in your vehicle?

-Kirk Matheson

 

Once the car cools down check the coolant level in the radiator. I think you
will find it to be low.

 

Yes, it seems to be pointing to low fluid, I just hope it is not head
gasket, i will check out a few things tonight to try to narrow it down.
To answer your question, it is a 88 toyota vehicle but I think it is a
generic enough question and appreciate the feedback. Not sure if there
is any rule against posting in this auto as Phil seems to want to
suggest.

 

Well, most people are willing to offer advice, but there actually ARE
rules about staying on topic (Chryslers). Not that anyone follows them...

But why here and not rec.autos.makers.toyota? Or
alt.autos.toyota.trucks? Or any of the rough dozen that show up with
"toyota" in the names?