Cold Air From Blowers?

[JoeyJoe]

Bought the car 4 weeks ago, heaters were fine for 3 weeks, but the car had no water in the bottle. I filled it up to the line, the blowers were fine.

After a few more trips, the water bottle was empty, so over filled it again expecting it to go down.

Well it has gone down below the "low" line. but now the heaters dont work.

Fans up on full and setting to "HOT", but still is cold.

Occasionally it will work mid-drive, but then stop working after 10 minutes or 20. Actually drove it 900 miles couple of days ago and it worked through most of it.

Fan comes on often when stopped, but doesn't overheat.

What could be wrong?

[Scarlett Arrow]

You have a coolant leak allowing air into the system which needs investigating. Could be the radiator, heater matrix, water pump gasket..but I'd start by checking the bottom corners of the rad. Rad failure is very common on Gen 7's over 10 years old.

I strongly recommend you only use Toyota LongLife coolant, either red or pink, in the system.

[JoeyJoe]

Thanks, I will check this. I don't think the Rad has been replaced on this before.

What's in the Toyota Long Life coolant that isn't in normal coolant? I'm using some pink coolant usually used in diggers... Should all be the same stuff really.

[JoeyJoe]

Hi Scarlett Arrow,

Checked the radiator through the grill last night and it was wet along the bottom. It looks very old and beaten too. I've ordered a new one which should come Wednesday. Trouble is, I need the car to drive to work every day.

Is there much harm in driving it still? My journey is 15 minutes, and at the moment it is ice cold outside. The fans came on this morning, blowers still blowing cold.

Is there a simple quick method of getting the water to flow? Even if I have to do it before every journey?

[Scarlett Arrow]

Check the level of coolant in the expansion tank before each journey, and as long as the temperature gauge behaves normally, you'll be OK for a couple of days until the new rad is fitted. Bleeding the system of air afterwards is a bit of a PITA though, with instructions on a label under the bonnet.

[JoeyJoe]

Thanks. I did take the cap off this morning after getting to work, and lots of air hissed out the system, and the level went back to normal again, although still blew cold air.

I've watched a video on replacing the rad, and also bleeding the system, should be fine. Any problems I'll get my brother to do it! (Service engineer) :D

[JoeyJoe]

Replaced the radiator last night. Took 30 minutes to do, filled up with coolant and straight away was blowing warm air!

Old rad was literally falling apart and had a wet patch. Was fine this morning too, same level.

Thanks Scarlett!