Overheating Options

[Random_Stranger]

Ok, I know this is bad but just hear me out.

I was in the mountains yesterday, about a 40min drive from my house (well, 40min from the point I was at). I noticed a sweet smell and pulled over to discover that I have a hole in one of my hoses. So by the grace of God, I made it home without my car overheating, because I couldn't call anyone as there is no reception out there. Today, I figured she would make it since autozone is only 10min to and from my house... WRONG! She started to overheat, so I turned on the heater full blast and it helped her out a bit as I just coasted in neutral. But noticed no heat was coming out. Once I parked the car, the obvious hole was smoking. So I go inside and get what I needed to replace the hose, along with tools I didn't need to buy, but didn't bring with me either. I checked the res tank and the hose was still wet (although could have meant there was fluid in there YESTERDAY), so I figured the hose problem would be corrected and all is well. So after many cuts, cursing, and cunning, I changed it out and started her up. Oh she took awhile as if she had to warm up to show a lil thermo. So I started to drive and not even 2 minutes she was climaxing to HOT. I had to keep going, so I threw her in neutral and again, heater full blast with no heat coming out. I managed to get some as I was only 1min away from my house and she stayed in hot zone, but was fine. The engine operated normal without any problems, yet the gauge keeps wanting to climb.

I am letting her sit before I check to make sure she is topped off with coolant before I check again. Now, other than checking the thermostat, with no other visible problems of losing coolant (no more drip), is there anything else I should be concerned about regarding the cooling system? I mean she literally hit the top of the overheat meter but functioned as normal. No smoke or anything when I lifted the hood once I got home.

[KAOS]

When I redid the timing belt and water pump on my 5S this summer that same thing happened to me.

Topped up the coolant and took it for a spin to test - drove great, but overheated. (wasn't pressurized properly). I popped the cap off the rad, and let a bit spew out onto the road, then drove it home and topped it up again. Put the heater on full blast and revved it at about 25k for a few minutes until the tstat went back up to "normal".

Hasn't over heated since.

[Random_Stranger]

When I redid the timing belt and water pump on my 5S this summer that same thing happened to me.

Topped up the coolant and took it for a spin to test - drove great, but overheated. (wasn't pressurized properly). I popped the cap off the rad, and let a bit spew out onto the road, then drove it home and topped it up again. Put the heater on full blast and revved it at about 25k for a few minutes until the tstat went back up to "normal".

Hasn't over heated since.

That's funny, because after I filled it, I forgot to put the cap back on properly, and I smelled coolant. So then I just stopped and put it on correctly with the car on. At least I know there is not an airbubble in there, as the coolant would have shot out of there. At least I know now that after what you had just said, it seems like it is going to be fine now, until another hose goes out on me. I think before I make my trip out to San Jose (Yes you northeners, I might be making a trip up there soon, as I may be picking up my MR2-T), I may grab a few extra hoses just in case, including upper and lower radiator hose, even though they were replaced 2 years ago.