Temperature Gauge?

[Keithlan1978]

Hi everyone

I've got a 190 Celica an just need a bit of advice about the temperature gauge, Mine seems to take a while to get upto half way (full working temp) I've timed it 5 times over the last 2-3 days and it always takes 17-18 mins to get there which seems a while to me

Is this normal and if not what could be the problems/solutions?

Also one night last week I got in my car in the early hours to go the garage and it it idled at 2500rpm for a minute or so which was strange as it normally idles at 1500rpm when cold then as it warms up it settles at 900rpm for idle

What do other people's idle at from cold and when settled and warned up?

Thanks guys

[avensisd4d786]

have you had any work done involving the cooling system, im thinking maybe air lock, second step I would change thermostat use genuine, had bad experience with a pattern part.

[Keithlan1978]

Ive only had it 3 weeks mate what kind of work to the cooling system? It's got a K&N induction kit fitted would that make any difference?

Also what does yours idle at when cold and warmed up an how long does it take to get up to full working temp?

Thanks

[armoredfist2002]

I think mine idles at around 1500 - 1800 when cold and slowly comes down to around 500 - 800 when warm, it's a while ago since I looked, you get used to it so I don't take much notice anymore.

Could be a problem with thermostat, water pump, radiator or airlock in the system, on a warmer day it should be up to it's third bar within a max of 10 minutes, little longer in the winter.

Leaking radiator in the bottom corners is a common problem, so when you lose coolant your letting air into the system which can get trapped. If your running toyota pink coolant look on the bottom corners of the radiator for dried pink crystals, and round the waterpump. Sometimes if the radiator has gone it's difficult to tell as the coolant collects on the plastic undertray and doesn't fall onto the ground for you to see easily.

Keep an eye on your coolant level in the expansiob bottle over the next few days and weeks to see if it goes down any.

If you have an airlock sometimes it collects in the heater matrix behind the dash and you sometimes hear a gurgling sound inside the cabin.

[Keithlan1978]

Thanks for your reply and advice, I'm not sure if this means anything but when I start the car with no radio on so its quiet I hear like a swishing sound for a second I assumed it was the petrol pulling through the pump but could it be something else?

Thanks

[RUToyota]

It shouldn't take that long to get to working temperature...my gauge starts to move within about 1 mile and is up to "normal" within 3 miles max.

As said...check your rad.!!...though I assume you have no obvious coolant loss.?...I'd certainly change the thermostat too.!..and the swishing/slushing sound is far more likely to be coolant...an air lock may be the culprit and is not uncommon with a Celica if the system hasn't been properly bled in the past.

Neil

[Keithlan1978]

Hi Neil

When you say yours is upto normal temp within 3 miles max do you mean the needle has gone up 3 notches?

Well now you mention the coolant tonight I checked it after car had been lying up for hours so was stone cold an the water bottle was pretty much empty so had to fill it up but could only fill it with water as that's all I had on me

Thanks

[RUToyota]

My needle goes to the normal area within 3 miles...about 3 notches yeah...sits a tad under halfway up the gauge.

Sounds as though you could have a rad problem...or water pump...best take your covers off and check for coolant leak on the undertrays...then check the rad bottom corner for any obvious signs of leakage.

It's a common failure but you can get a rad off the bay for around £30 so not massively costly...if you change the rad just make sure you do it precisely to the instructions you will find on the label on the underside of your bonnet with respect to bleeding the system.

Make sure you use the Toyota pink long life coolant.

Neil

[Keithlan1978]

Thanks Neil I'll check it this week