Car still overheating after replacing thermostat and water pump

Q: Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it and new thermostat?

If your car is still overheating even after youve changed the thermostat, youre likely dealing with an issue with your radiator. It could be clogged, which would restrict the flow of coolant and cause your radiator to overheat.

Table of Contents Show

Why is my car overheating after changing thermostat and water pump?
What sensor can cause a car to overheat?
Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it and new thermostat?
How do you tell if your radiator is clogged?

Tags:

coolant
coolant circulation
gasket
head gasket
head gasket coolant loss additive
head gasket leak
misfire
misfire code
overheating
water pump

Joined:Jun 9, 2019 7160 Location:El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

My car was going through a lot of coolant before and seemed like the water pump was bad so we replaced it and all was good for a while. Then recently the overheating light started flashing again and will stay solid for a few seconds if I don't slow down or pull over quickly. It's going through coolant really fast again. Idk what the problem is. Looks like coolant is everywhere when I look around the reservoir but I can't tell where it's coming from. Before the water pump replacement I had misfire codes here and there also, even after replacing coils and plugs. There was a water pump code before the replacement. Now no codes pop.
Joined:Nov 9, 20161,0721,28912Location:MichiganVehicle:2010 PriusModel:III

What mileage? Have you replaced the thermostat? Done an EGR system cleaning?
Pixel XL ?
Joined:Jun 9, 20197160Location: El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

it has 252k miles and no I haven't replaced the thermostat but it was blowing a lot of steam today when I pulled off the interstate after the warning light started flashing. I replaced the cap and the warning light didn't come on for a few hours. Now idk what the problem could be. I don't think I have done the EGR system cleaning.
Joined:May 29, 20184,3642,5160Location:FloridaVehicle:2010 PriusModel:Two

Anytime you replace the water pump, you should replace the thermostat.
But it sound like you have a blown head gasket since you state you have steam blowing.
Depending on where the gasket gives out, the exhaust will blow the coolant back to the overflow tank.
Had a ford aerostar that did that.
Steam in the ICE machine is not good.
How long have you owned the vehicle? How many miles have you put on her?
Joined:May 11, 200599,43045,0320Location:bostonVehicle:2012 Prius Plug-inModel:Plug-in Base

maybe you didn't get all the air out
Joined:Jun 9, 20197160Location:El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

I've had the car a little over a year and I've put about 70k miles on her. She blows steam from the overflow spout on the coolant reservoir near the cap and there's always coolant everywhere but idk where it's coming from. What's the best way to find out where it's coming from? Couldn't I use something to help detect the spot its leaking from?
What are you replacing the lost coolant with, toyota SLLC or something else?
Which OBD2 scanner are you using to retrieve stored DTCs?
When in doubt, rev up your engines!
Joined:Jun 9, 20197160Location:El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

No I was bad and used water a couple times and last time I got the coolant from Auto zone they told me what was best but I haven't gotten it from the dealership in probably five months. I'm using the cheapest scanner tool that you get from walmart that costs $13. It's a tiny little red scanner.
Water will lower the boiling point.
A cheap scanner may not pick up all of the codes that are stored.
Joined:Jun 9, 2019 7160 Location:El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

Dang I clicked on those links about oxyclean idk how to even get to the point of cleaning it with oxyclean. How do i know if the thermostat should be replaced? Should I try cleaning it first?
Joined:Nov 9, 20161,0721,28912Location:MichiganVehicle:2010 PriusModel:III

At your mileage I would just replace it with a new OEM part. They're around $40
If you're not getting coolant out the exhaust or misfire codes - a thermostat and EGR cleanse may be all you need.
Pixel XL ?
Joined:Jun 9, 20197160Location:El cajonVehicle:2013 PriusModel:Two

What is Pixie XL" lol I'm not sure. What is the best way to clean the EGR
Joined:Nov 9, 20161,0721,28912Location:MichiganVehicle:2010 PriusModel:III

@Raytheeagle would say pressure washer.
Pixel XL ?
Joined:Feb 5, 20193363490Location:Los AngelesVehicle:2010 PriusModel:Two

I think it's a phone that he's using to reply on the forum with, and it auto creates a signature. Like iPhones used to do in emails.

mjoo and Raytheeagle like this.
Joined:Nov 14, 2019110Location:85251Vehicle:2012 PriusModel:Four

You have a blow head gasket. Your coolant is leaking to the combustion chambers causing misfires. Then blowing out the tail pipe. Exhaust pipe. Need to get a used engine from a donor prius that was in a wreck with low mileage on engine. This happens a lot. And get 2013 and up so the oil ring issue of oil consumption should not surfice

Why is my car overheating after changing thermostat and water pump?

If your car is overheating with a new thermostat, you could be dealing with a clog in your radiator and/or heater core, a bad water pump, a broken radiator, or any number of other coolant-related issues. The first and most important thing is not to drive your car until the issue is resolved.

What sensor can cause a car to overheat?

If you notice that your engine overheats, the coolant temperature sensor could be the problem. At times, the coolant temperature switch may fail such that it starts transmitting hot signals permanently. This causes the computer to erroneously counterbalance the signal, thereby causing the engine to misfire or overheat.

Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it and new thermostat?

If your car is still overheating even after you've changed the thermostat, you're likely dealing with an issue with your radiator. It could be clogged, which would restrict the flow of coolant and cause your radiator to overheat.