John, thanks for your helpful advice.
I picked up my townace from the garage on monday having got a new radiator cap over the weekend(£10.04 + vat from the local toyota dealer, thanks for the part number all who contributed)they didn't charge me for not finding anything wrong, which was a relief. I went to fit the new rad cap to find they had left the existing one loose. I topped up the water and fitted the new one, took it for a spin and it was fine. However, now the temperature guage takes longer to get up to the mid point but it doesn't overheat. After about 10 - 15 miles the heater starts blowing out progressively colder air. On stopping the engine there is a short gurgling noise which sounds like water either flowing out of the expansion take or back into it. When I check the water level after its cooled down, it takes about 1/2 - 1 litre to bring it back up to the neck of the tube where the rad cap is fitted. Having done this the heater is then back to normal. I've yet to check out the hoses. Is there any particular nack for doing this? Any other suggestions as to what the problem might be gladly welcomed.

- (#6289) john mathias, 3 Dec 02

head gasket or cracked head, I'm afraid...

- (#6290) david miller, 4 Dec 02

John,
I fear that David's diagnosis could be right and the symptoms do point to a cross over of internal engine pressure into the coolant system. How adventurous are you re mechanics? The head removal and refit with new gasket and bolts(after a pressure check and then skim,)is not that difficult, especially if you have the engine repair manual RMO25E.
As a further check, these cooling systems are complex with a myriad of small pipes taking coolant to the rear heater, turbo, oil cooler, two rads if it's 4WD etc, and it does invite air locks in the system. I find that a VERY slow fill, say five minutes (as others have advised previously)does allow any air to be pushed out successfully, instead of being trapped at, almost, a "dead end" in the system.
Perhaps someone on this BOK can help with advice on a competent garage, not too far from your location, who have experience of the 2Ct engine (fitted to other Toyota's in the past)but, if you do put a repair into the hands of another garage (or the one you have already visited), I would suggest that you do obtain the above manual, (less than a tenner from the Toyota dealer) and leave it in the car for reference. It's invaluable.

- (#6291) John Davis, 4 Dec 02

help. anyone know why the a.t. temp light comes on after a few miles. the autotransmission level seems ok....

- (#6335) paul, 7 Dec 02

the tranny fluid is too hot?...
either the sensor (screwed into one of the cooler pipes, rhs of the tranny) is duff, or the tranny is likewise.

- (#6336) david miller, 7 Dec 02