1997 3.0 CL with 172,000 miles (277,000 kmapprox.)


The problem started with the heater in the car blowing tepid air and then my temperature gauge no longer registered the engine temperature.


Suspected the thermostat, so I replaced it today. Now I have plenty of hot air blowing from the heater, but the temperature gauge is almost to redline. After 30 minutes of stoplight to stoplight traffic, the engine is cool enough to touch, coolant reservoir is empty, and there is no fluid loss; but the car shows almost overheating and the cooling fans run when I shut off the engine.


Anyone have any ideas as to what is causing this? Edited by: thorzstone

well a air pocket in the coolant system could do this.

did you unhook the temp sender?

could it have gotten soaked in coolant?

is the new thermostat working correctly.just because its new doesnt mean its good Edited by: acuralegend

The first suggestion is EXACTLY what the problem was acuralegend.


I was initiated into the world of 'burping' the radiator. I had flushed it since I had to replace the thermostat, but had not removed all the air. With the air pockets gone, the thermostat replacement is complete and now I have a toasty warm CL in the 18 degree winter temperature.

glad you found it before any damage occurred.

i warped both head gaskets out of a toyota pick up because of a "burp" got myself a $2200.00 tuition payment there.