[Fritz]

Just had the car inspected to only have it overheat once again. I'm starting to think this car is cursed.

I replaced the water pump, fan clutch, and radiator. Drove it all this week with no issues besides the bad brakes. Then just like that the car is back to square one. Not only does my car not have a working headlight but it now has shocks that are useless. I can literally move the car up and down with my pinky finger. After inspection I also found out that my car has been rolled back!! I suspected this since the 2 and 3 on the 100k mark are half way in between. Someone help me! Ive ran out of ideas!

Previous posts about this money pit:

Only one headlight will pop up!

Just about ready to have the car inspected and the last thing that needs to be done is fix my headlight situation. All my lights work but the passanger side light will not flip up. It works as I can see the light coming out from it but it will not flip up! Similair problem to this thread...

www.celicasupra.com

Interior lights not working?

I finally got my car on the road after it sat for 3 years, Everthing is great but none of the interior lights work! Im gonna assume that I should swap out fuses? For a 89 mk3

www.celicasupra.com

Looking for a radiator cooling fan sensor Switch

Mine just started to leak and no auto parts suppliers in my town have any

www.celicasupra.com

 

[SilverMk2]

Will it is at least a 30 year old car with one of the least reliable Toyota engines ever that most have been beat on to death. What did you expect?

 

[1982 Dragon]

Dang

 

[Fritz]

Anyone know where to even start with the overheating?

 

[SilverMk2]

It's a 7m have you started with a compression check?

 

[Fritz]

It's a 7m have you started with a compression check?

First thing I did. I did it awhile back but I believe it was 120-125

 

[Fritz]

Was a bit low so im not surprised

 

[dannoxyz]

There may be something in common with all these issues: wiring and grounds. When I had one headlight fail, it was something in wiring very close to that particular headlight. Issues near headlight switch would cause both of them to fail.

Anyone know where to even start with the overheating?

Have you:

• determined if you are or are not losing water from system?
• verified actual temp of radiator and that it matches gauge?
• tested thermostat in pot of boiling water?
• pressure-tested radiator cap?
• back-flushed radiator? Clear fins of bugs and grime?

 

[Fritz]

There may be something in common with all these issues: wiring and grounds. When I had one headlight fail, it was something in wiring very close to that particular headlight. Issues near headlight switch would cause both of them to fail.


Have you:

• determined if you are or are not losing water from system?
• verified actual temp of radiator and that it matches gauge?
• tested thermostat in pot of boiling water?
• pressure-tested radiator cap?
• back-flushed radiator? Clear fins of bugs and grime?

Yes the car was losing quite a bit of coolant so I replaced 90% of the hoses in the car and the ones that are left are easy to reach and see
No I will when it stops snowing
Yes it failed so I bought a new one
Yes also failed
Yes

I replaced my radiator for a new mishimoto and it still overheats so I have no clue

 

[Funkycheeze]

Is the coolant boiling out and getting replaced by gas in the system even under normal driving? Because if so you probably have a BHG.

 

[Fritz]

Is the coolant boiling out and getting replaced by gas in the system even under normal driving? Because if so you probably have a BHG.

From what I’ve read on the forums in order to have a bhg you need to have bubbling in the overflow, smoke, overheating, etc the only symptom my car has is overheating

 

[Funkycheeze]

If it is overheating for no reason and slowly pushing coolant out which is replaced by gas, you have a BHG. Especially on a 7M this is a huge red flag. Use a block test kit if you aren't sure.

 

[Fritz]

If it is overheating for no reason and slowly pushing coolant out which is replaced by gas, you have a BHG. Especially on a 7M this is a huge red flag. Use a block test kit if you aren't sure.

Ill grab one tomorrow

 

[dannoxyz]

depending upon how headgasket is damaged, it may lose coolant without blowing too much back into coolant jacket. I've had some that was such small leak, car went on for months with only needing bi-weekly coolant top-off.

Then there's this BHG from being greedy with too much boost. I dumped entire coolant system out tailpipe in giant white cloud down Willow Springs front straight! Ended up replacing headgasket overnight in parking lot so I can get back to racing on Sunday.

I take it there's no external coolant leak that's causing puddles under car?

 

[Fritz]

depending upon how headgasket is damaged, it may lose coolant without blowing too much back into coolant jacket. I've had some that was such small leak, car went on for months with only needing bi-weekly coolant top-off.

Then there's this BHG from being greedy with too much boost. I dumped entire coolant system out tailpipe in giant white cloud down Willow Springs front straight! Ended up replacing headgasket overnight in parking lot so I can get back to racing on Sunday.

I take it there's no external coolant leak that's causing puddles under car?

Nope none, a little oil leak from the diff and thats about it

 

[dannoxyz]

Have you done head-bolt re-torque to higher value given in some TSB way back when?

 

[Fritz]

Have you done head-bolt re-torque to higher value given in some TSB way back when?

Nope this car has never had it done to my knowledge so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a bad head gasket

 

[MoparMarq]

It's been said hundreds of times - swap the engine. Anything is going to be more reliable than that 7M BHG-prone boat anchor. I put a NA 2JZ in my MkIII DD 5 years back and it's been reliable, smooth, and economical ever since. The swap has been dozens probably thousands of times, so it's well documented. Even an NA will net you 20 additional horses and 20 more ft-lbs of torque.

 

[toysupguy]

I have had an 86 1/2 with a 7MGE and an 89 with a 7MGTE with assorted cooling issues. Check for leaks from the heater hose (formed, sometimes they fail in the inner curve of the hose), and the heater union (top back of engine, can weep but not show evidence b/c antifreeze evaporates on the transmission before it hits the ground). Also, replace your thermostat with OEM, as it has a UHC larger opening than aftermarket (I looked). When adding antifreeze, be sure to burp the system (read: no air).
Drove the 7MGE with no evidence of a BHG (except threat of overheating) for years; not a great idea, but she was good to me.

 

[toysupguy]

OEM Thermostat has larger opening than aftermarket.