coolant and thermostat question, re-updated with a twist Options

[HaysoosKreesto]

Hey everyone, it's been a long time since my last post. Car still runs beautifully but my first ever problem arose that perhaps a friendly user might help me solve, or know of the page that solves it.

So my coolant has been boiling out of the reservoir after driving on the freeway and coming to a stop. I tried changing the thermostat, maybe the thermostat is defective? Well assuming it's not (I do plan on going back to the dealership and asking for a new one in exchange however) perhaps it may be something else. Does anyone know where the sensor to monitor the temperature of the coolant before the radiator fan kicks in is?

I'm having trouble searching for it, but I figured that if I change the sensor and the thermostat (again) then maybe my problems would be solved.

Also if anyone has any idea as to why it continues to do this, with all appreciation I urge you to please respond.

Thank you and much love,
Rafael.

Edit: check last picture to see the new situation

This post has been edited by HaysoosKreesto: Aug 16, 2013 - 10:16 AM

[HaysoosKreesto]

If it's like the 7A it'll be on the driver side middle of the engine. It's in the general area of where the coolant hoses that run to the throttle body are. Though if it were bad I'd think it'd throw a code. It could perhaps be a blockage in the cooling system somewhere.

Thank you Box, I don't have a code meter so I guess I'll have to go and pick one up (it will come in handy later in life I'm sure :-) I'll later see how I can flush my system, I have to work and I've been stupid busy lately.

If it's like the 7A it'll be on the driver side middle of the engine. It's in the general area of where the coolant hoses that run to the throttle body are. Though if it were bad I'd think it'd throw a code. It could perhaps be a blockage in the cooling system somewhere.

+1, For the 5sfe. We have the coolant temperature sensor, engine coolant temperature sensor, and the fan switch. The fan switch is screwed under the radiator on the passenger side right next the drain plug. Easiest way to find this one is to follow the bottom radiator hose from the engine to the radiator. The other two are located right next to each other. Follow the upper radiator hose and right when it hits the engine. You'll see two sensors. The bigger one which is on the passenger side will be the engine coolant temperature sensor and the smaller one which is on the driver side would be the coolant temperature sensor.

BTW, it seems like you're having overpressure so what I would do is perform coolant flush. Flush out the radiator and the engine block. Also check your radiator cap make sure it's at the OEM specs. I think the 5sfe was 13psi? All I know is it's 0.9 on the cap not the 1.1 like on the high performance caps.

Thank you ILoveMySilly97, going with Galcobar's suggestion I will use my multimeter to check to see if any of these lil bastards are running or if one gave out. I noticed today after changing my thermostat that the fans would not kick on at all, so I'm hoping that the fan switch might have just taken enough and I'll need to replace it.

Hopefully! that will be the last of my fans not doing their job, but I will be sure to check everything.

I believe the radiator cap is OEM, I never changed it. I just checked and it said .9 on it, which I hope means it is correct.

internal leak, my .02

I will be performing a flush because you are the second person to suggest so, thank you for your input! Hopefully it is something as beautifully simply as that.

I had the same problem.... Blown head gasket!!! 8(

I'm sorry to hear that brother. I sincerely hope my case isn't the same, but if it is then I'll just have to do what I have to do.

It could be a variety of things. First thing I'd do is check compression to make sure it's not the head gasket. Then take it from there by flushing the system. Easiest way to test the relay for the fans is to turn the car on and let it hit operating temperature. Then just wait a few more minutes and they should cut on, provided it's decently warm outside. Being you're in California that shouldn't be a problem at the moment.

That's the thing is that, I drove it around the block twice today, after changing out the thermostat and adding a bunch of coolant/water, and the fans never kicked on :-(

and ya it was quite warm today, I think I burned my neck trying to change that thermostat lol. Is there an article somewhere that shows how to check compression for the head gasket, or do I have to take it to a repair shop?

All of the sensors and fan switches can be tested with a multimeter and a pot of water. Functionally, only the engine coolant temperature sensor and the temperature fan switch matter, but my first question is whether you've checked the radiator cap.

If the cap is faulty it will not maintain the pressure in the coolant system which keeps the coolant from boiling at operating temperatures, and will allow the coolant to spill into the reservoir.

The radiator cap is the same one it had when I bought her, so I don't know for sure how to tell if its gone faulty or not? It seemed like it did not have any cracks earlier when I checked. I'll be checking the sensor and switch later and hopefully I'll have good news.