Prado 2002 overheating ?

[Streaker]

I recently purchased a 2002 3ltr turbo Prado and I noticed that there was green radiator fludid under the left hand guard and side of the car after a trip from Brisy to Mooloolaba about 80 klms. I have also noticed that the temperature gauge sits on about the halkway mark is this to high.
Any help appreciated.
Wayne

[wiz]

Where abouts is the overflow tank situated on your vehicle?
Is there coolant in there?
I would be having a look in around the area above where the coolant is on the ground and checking hoses, heater hoses, welsh plugs. Basically trace the leak back to the source. ( preferably when the car has cooled down a bit)
hope this helps, let us know what you find.

[dreemon]

Halfway on the temp gauge is normal for most cars,
and like wiz says check suss areas and look for wet spots with your hands starting from top then to bottom, it's the moist spot your looking for, Cheers

[jclay1773]

Does it have the little tap at the bottom of the radiator on the left hand side. I have seen these leak.

[bdaearth]

Welcome to the prado club

http://www.pradopoint.com/index.php

You should be able to find out anything from here

[Streaker]

Wiz- I only purchased the car on Friday. the coolant was in the wheel arch and on the front guard. I think that the overflow bottle may be overfill. Could this be posssible.
dreemon- my turbo landcruiser's temp gauge would only go to about a quarter on the gauge whether I was towing the boat, beach driving or in 38 degrees with the aircon on.
When I came to work this morning the temp was 13 degrees and no air con on the temp gauge went staight up to the half way mark in under 500 metres.
As I only have a limited warranty 1000klm I am trying to determine if I have a problem that is going to bite me.
I have had a quick look at the hoses, tanks ect, would the radiator cap be a possible cause.
Wayne

[wiz]

When you say wheel arch and front guard are we talking in the engine bay or are we talking outside the engine bay? If it is in the engine bay on the wheel arch is that below the coolant tank? Check the level on the coolant tank it is marked Max & Min .If the radiator cap has lost its tension then the coolant will be pushed back into the coolant overflow tank when the pressure increases. The cap does have a preset PSI value. If that tank is overfull then it will then push the coolant out the overflow on the tank. That is why I asked where the coolant tank was situated on your car. Does the guage go over half at all? When the car has cooled down is the radiator full.
If it worries you and you are not very mechanically minded go to a radiator repair place and ask them to do a pressure test on your cooling system

Sorry I just reread your first post it is on the outside

[Streaker]

Update- the car yard will pressure test and check, they have indicated that they will not leave any stones unturned to find the cause.
thanks for you input.
Regards Wayne

[wiz]

Let us know what they find.
Takes the worry off you now.

[rig_dude]

Maybe check the top cover of the radiator as well, they are made of plastic now and only have a certain life until they start to warp. I just changed mine at 140k, just in case.