# Overheating Paseo **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** overheating, paseo, toyota\ **Created:** [August 7, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647 "2009-08-07T18:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alwaysalemon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7993a0/32.png) [@alwaysalemon](https://community.cartalk.com/u/alwaysalemon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/1 "2009-08-07T18:05:55Z")
I have a '92 Paseo that keeps overheating when I drive it at all intensively for over thirty minutes (highway driving at 70 etc). I’ve had the coolant system flushed fully twice, and every mechanic I go to says that the fans are working fine, the radiator doesn’t have any problems and that the thermostat is working properly. What could cause the overheating? Especially since it’s so infrequent? ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/2 "2009-08-07T18:10:34Z")
Maybe leaky head gasket. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/3 "2009-08-07T18:13:25Z")
Define “overheating.” Does the coolant boil over? How high does the temperature gauge get? What does the temperature gauge indicate normally? Has anyone tested for a leaking head gasket? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/4 "2009-08-07T18:18:04Z")
Likely possibilities: Radiator coated inside core; this can substantially reduce the ability of the radiator to dissipate heat. Thermostat not fully opening. Have you tried changing this $15 item? Water pump impellars eroded. Flow can be tested. Unlikely cause: bad headgasket. That comes with other symptoms not in your post. Radiator hose with collapsed lining. Uncommon, but it does happen. As with the T-stat, these are cheap to replace. Summary: the radiator is 17 years young. I’d be surprised if it was not problematic inside. However, a T-stat is $15. You could not be faulted for changing this part first and seeing what happens. ---
**Author:** ![alwaysalemon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7993a0/32.png) [@alwaysalemon](https://community.cartalk.com/u/alwaysalemon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/5 "2009-08-07T18:21:18Z")
The heat gage (which normally stays right below half) starts rising dramatically so that over a period of five to ten minutes it will hit red line or sometimes above. (I try to pull over as soon as it starts getting above 3/4) The car generally smells hot when I pull over and check it, occasionally has a slight sound of steam with no visible precipitation. I don’t think anyone has tested for a leaky head gasket that i know of. would that mean the head gasket would need to be replaced? ---
**Author:** ![alwaysalemon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7993a0/32.png) [@alwaysalemon](https://community.cartalk.com/u/alwaysalemon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/overheating-paseo/34647/6 "2009-08-07T18:25:57Z")
well i’m hoping it’s the thermostat, i already bought one and will try and replace it. Thanks everyone for your help.