can anyone help me.i have a 1985 20ltr auto space cruiser that gets very hot under the coller.ive put a new thermostat in there is no leaks in the coolant system the water pump is fine and its showing no signs of head gasket failure.other than running hot it runs fine.can anyone help me please me hair is falling out due to this
- (#9864) tony, 9 Aug 03 10:37

blocked rad/ weak mixture/ ign timing/ viscous coupling/ binding brakes...

- (#9865) david miller, 9 Aug 03 11:39

rads fine timming and mixture ok fan ok brakes ok pressure cap not sure just took it off and had a look but nut sure how to test it

- (#9866) tony, 9 Aug 03 12:31

Had the same problem with my old Space Cruiser. I never found the cause of the overheating and so I traded it in for a Town Ace which developed the same fault after a burst hose. I have had my Townie checked by 3 garages and had the thermostat, rad cap and some hoses replaced but it would still overheat. I was then told that the viscouse fan was not working as well as it should so I had it replaced by twin electric fans but it still overheated. Eventualy the third garage found the rad was blocked. Reading 29c on one side 90c on the other and stone cold in the centre. I suggest that you have your rad temp tested because it might well be blocked. hth.

- (#9867) Bill, 9 Aug 03 17:23

It's always been the Radiator Cap on mine. They only seem to last 2 years before the rubber seal gives up. You won't see any leaks. The small Nissan 0.9 bar are the ones to fit.

- (#9868) Phil, 10 Aug 03 17:12

As you have just had a new thermostat fitted it may be possible there is a little air in the system. See nearby posting on 'bleeding airlocks' for ways to be sure - I have seen an improvement since trying this technique
- (#9869) chris turner, 10 Aug 03 17:26

Hi I have a Space cruiser model f 1987 done only 43k miles, but has got a leak of rusty looking water from a
hole approx 8mm dia on the passenger side of the engine block just behind the exhaust manifold, someone told me that it could be a core plug thats gone. do they have core plugs?
Any idea what it could be.
If the head gasket is gone any idea how much a Toyota deal will charge for the job, my corner garage says they will charge £150 to strip the engine & then it could be between a further £100- £500 depending if they have to change rad, skim heads etc.

- (#10181) john, 11 Aug 03 6:22

John.
All engines fitted in vehicles have core plugs and most are made of steel so rust is inevitable leadind to leaks so your leak might be a core plug. If it is a head gasket problem I think you would notice other problems like poor engine performance, oil in the water and water in the oil etc. Prices that you have been quoted seem about right for the jobs involved. hth.
P.S. If the leak is a core plug and it is accesible it is an easy job to replace. Knock a hole in the old plug and prise it out then fit the new plug using a socket that fits snuggly in the core plug and tap it into the engine block. Slowly refill rad with coolant and check the new core plug is water tight(no leaks). Job Done.

- (#10182) Steve, 11 Aug 03 13:06

Hi we had a problem with our cruiser overheating.
took bottom hose off, flushed through,replaced bottom hose,refilled slowly, no more problems since possible air lock!
Cheers
Andy Richards

- (#10711) Andy Richards, 6 Sep 03 21:08

Hi there, re the earlier post about the small Nissan 0.9 bar rad cap - could I have some more details as I need to order one!!

Cheers

Kevin

- (#10712) Kevin Duffy, 9 Sep 03 13:17