GAZZUZZ:


I'm afraid I cannot be of any more assistance. Proper Diagnosis required.

eagleeye2:
Oga GAZZUZZ, and other experts greetings. I am a silent 'hailer' of your works and prefer to read most times.
I have been having overheating issues with my car.
First, was that the radiator leaked fluids. I got it sealed and proceeded to wash radiator. Problem continued.
Then I was asked to change the fan, that it had one blade missing from each of the fans I changed the fans. But problem persisted.
Sometimes the temperature needle gets to the red line within 30 minutes of driving or in a hold up and I will park and allow it to cool for sometime.
Now, I am being asked to change the top gasket that it has gone bad (blown/damaged), I am skeptical about that for the following reasons ;
_The cars movement is okay.
_ Apart from the overheating and the white reservoir tank being filled up to overflowing, I can't pin down any other issue.
_ I don't know if thermostat has gone bad, and may be the culprit and I am being made to undergo a very expensive repair that may not solve the issue
_But the most important reason of all is that, I am not too buoyant to undergo a trial and error service anymore.
The car in question, is Toyota avalon 2000.
Sir, abeg I crave your invaluable knowledge on this issue.

Machini:


Whoa! Talk about coincidence. I drive same Toyota Avalon 2000 model and I'm experiencing the same issue. Infact I just got home a few minutes ago from a trip and my car overheated twice on my way back, good thing I bought 2 bags of sachet water before leaving in the morning.

Drove over 3 hours on my way to the place and it didn't overheat. Only happened on my way back, because I initially turned on the AC. it overheated like 20mins into the journey. Happened again even after I allowed it to cool down and topped up the water in the radiator.

Maybe I should try replacing the pressure cap as Gazzuzz suggested, cos there's a little crack on the seal.

eagleeye2:

When it overheated, did the needle touch the red line? I am just so confused.
is there no one in the house who can help me make sense of this nonsense?
I even have always checked to see if oil is mixing with water but it's not. yet they asking me to change top gasket. One even said I should change radiator and top together, as if the money tree dey my backyard. Another said i should just be gathering money for a new engine.

eagleeye2:

When it overheated, did the needle touch the red line? I am just so confused.
is there no one in the house who can help me make sense of this nonsense?
I even have always checked to see if oil is mixing with water but it's not. yet they asking me to change top gasket. One even said I should change radiator and top together, as if the money tree dey my backyard. Another said i should just be gathering money for a new engine.

eagleeye2:

When it overheated, did the needle touch the red line? I am just so confused.
is there no one in the house who can help me make sense of this nonsense?
I even have always checked to see if oil is mixing with water but it's not. yet they asking me to change top gasket. One even said I should change radiator and top together, as if the money tree dey my backyard. Another said i should just be gathering money for a new engine.

olumanja:
Good morning Oga GAZZUZZ, what is the recommended coolant for Highlander 2007.

dru23:


My guess is that the engine is gone ...this is one of the major reason I tell people to use coolant ...using coolant would have prevented this problem.. ..the major function of a coolant is to help cool down the engine.. Coolant works a lot better than water... so imagine just water alone boiling inside the radiator, it is over working engine and you will end up replacing the radiator.

The picture below is for my 07 elantra... I had to spend 150k to "ring" the engine ..smoke was coming out and oil drying up very fast.. But I was fast enough before further damage. If you look at the picture below, on the top of the engine is the thermostat.... You see how rusted it is ..this is due to the use of water instead of coolant... so I had to buy another for 5k and spending a total 7k plus workmanship.... Don't be penny wise and pound foolish

dru23:


Wish you the best of luck bro ...that engine will need to be rebuilt or replace... do basic maintenance on your car ..your car and wallet will thank you.

https://www.google.com.ng/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.redplum.com/blog/post/120522/how-to-keep-your-car-from-overheating-this-summer&ved=2ahUKEwi9zszlnbreAhWLBsAKHYQKBxwQFjABegQIDBAE&usg=AOvVaw10_FZCzxPpPVTGIDLAKyeN&cshid=1541317177681

Machini:


It didn't get to the red regions the first time cos I noticed it immediately the coolant temperature crossed the halfway line. But it did the second time cos I was gisting and forgot to check for a while.

eagleeye2:

What of after using coolant, and you just see it flowing out through the coolant reservoir tank and within a week, you have been forced to use over two bottles of coolant?
At the same time mechanics keep suggesting one thing or the other?
what do you advice?

dru23:
..

My personal advice ...just buy new engine... just close your eyes and buy new engine......
The elantra that was ' ring' I bought most of the parts for it in USA pic bellow.... And the mechanic that did the ringing is pretty gud, I like his wrk... but at the same time, am keeping my fingers crossed that the car will last me till I want sell am ..that is my wishful thinking...
Once a mechanic starts messing around the engine of a car.. My brother just know that you are playing with fire ...with the use of fake parts in the country, that engine most likely will never be the same ...the mechanic that my car, he said he has never seen original parts like mines before.. He said and I quote
" he no dey for market at all " .
I try and advocate for people to just do basic car maintenance. But most will tell me na because I want sell market to them . So those that will take advice, will take advice.

GAZZUZZ:


I'm afraid I cannot be of any more assistance. Proper Diagnosis required.

eagleeye2:

New engine on my mind. But, cash no dey now. So, na 2019 things be that. Cause I ring the engine for 2016 and i believe the guy who did it tried.
If not for this overheating stuff, I wouldn't be too worried until I gather money for new engine. Some people for Alaoji spare market have equally told me that most engine they sell as Belgium there has been worked on before packaging it for sell.
Nigerians are just too selfish sometimes.
Thank you for your advice.

dru23:


No problem... ....for future sake, try and invest in better coolant. Look for sellers that import the real stuff ..you can find them on nairaland... I had bad experience looking for coolant.. Am hoping my cars will manage themselves till I import my own

eagleeye2:

New engine on my mind. But, cash no dey now. So, na 2019 things be that. Cause I ring the engine for 2016 and i believe the guy who did it tried.
If not for this overheating stuff, I wouldn't be too worried until I gather money for new engine. Some people for Alaoji spare market have equally told me that most engine they sell as Belgium there has been worked on before packaging it for sell.
Nigerians are just too selfish sometimes.
Thank you for your advice.

Machini:

"Alaoji"....seems you reside in Aba.

eagleeye2:

When it overheated, did the needle touch the red line? I am just so confused.
is there no one in the house who can help me make sense of this nonsense?
I even have always checked to see if oil is mixing with water but it's not. yet they asking me to change top gasket. One even said I should change radiator and top together, as if the money tree dey my backyard. Another said i should just be gathering money for a new engine.

Machini:


"Alaoji"....seems you reside in Aba.

J0hnTrevolt:
Bro do u get d best of fuel economy on this ride?
I hav same ride 2002 model bt d fuel economy is nothing to write home about, i only use it nw as a back up car to my main ride. Drives very smooth bt d economy is zero. Roughly 11mpg.
How about urs?

DonBabaNG:
Hello Fellow Nairalanders, I own a Ford Focus 2001 hatchback, and recently it does hard to start in the morning. But once I struggle and on the engine, the problem seize till the next morning when the engine must have been cold.

Plz house, how do I tackle this. It's becoming embarrassing

DonBabaNG:
Hello Fellow Nairalanders, I own a Ford Focus 2001 hatchback, and recently it does hard to start in the morning. But once I struggle and on the engine, the problem seize till the next morning when the engine must have been cold.

Plz house, how do I tackle this. It's becoming embarrassing

ticoticotico:
Hello my people, I'm experiencing a "oommmming" noise inside my car when the engine is on, the noise is more pronounced if the car stereo is on, what could be the problem, Toyota camry 10

eagleeye2:
Greetings Oga Gazzuzz and other experts in the house. I visited another mechanic today and sadly he confirmed that my top gasket has been affected. And advised that I change the gasket and resurface it.
I don't have the money for the labor now. what if I remove the thermostat, and run the car like that for the meantime will it help? At most a month from now, I would have sorted myself out.
Advice needed please.

What do you have to loose?

GAZZUZZ:

What do you have to loose?