Hi,
the last couple of years my 91 cressida has had a lot of overheating problems. The weird thing is that it would normally happen when it was idle or in stop and go traffic. At first I thought the air conditioner was a problem but I ended up having this problem even when the air conditioner wasn't on. Also the car seemed to cool off when I was able to accelerate. Well eventually I blew the head gasket and since I love this car I refused to get rid of it but had the head gasket fixed. It seems though that its happening again. Does anyone have an idea about what could be going on. Over the last couple of years because of this problem I have already replaced the thermostat, some hose (i don't remember which) and then just recently the the part that connects to the fan one mechanic said it wasn't spinning fast enough so I replaced it (I don't remember what that part was called but I can find out). if anyone can help me out I would be very grateful.

Eli

Bad thermostat? Or it could be a bad fan clutch, thereby not cooling the radiator well enough causing it to overheat.

The fan clutch was actually the last thing I replaced just a couple of days before i had the BHG... I changed the thermostat about a year ago... I might have to change it again since the car over heated a few times after that. Other than that I'm not really sure what to do... will toyota charge a lot to check and make sure that the torque is correct?... maybe my mechanic didn't tighten it to the right torque? even though I told him 72. thanks for your help.

My old toyota tacoma radiator used to do the same thing. On a hot day while stopped in traffic, it would overheat. I would quickly turn on the heat and it would cool down. I took it to Toyota and they replaced the thermostat and all was better. Are you sure your themostat is good?
I think your fan either isn't turning on or your thermostat isn't opening all the way.

on peugots, the immortal 504(sorry toyota, you learned a lot from them)--the 'fan-clutch', if suspect or failed, may easily be 'locked-down' w/Swiss army knife---so it never stops---you stay cool---i have no idea on your 'fan-clutch' workings---'locking it in, always' (it's spinning always) may be tried.

if not, i've been stuck---got home by jamming wood-pieces, on the road---in any visible crack where fan meets fan clutch---it takes a bit, but wood saved my butt---and proved the problem---so i just left it 'fixed'---save 2hp vs. risk engine? if it's a crank fan, w/clutch, kill the clutch---keep air moving---if you have an electric fan also, as '84 Tercel---you may unplug passenger-side, bottom of radiator 'lead'---it's hot, let cool---then fan should be continuous---so plug it back in for Winter---