Hi everyone!
Backstory: As you may have seen in my last post, I had an overheating problem and a leak in a hose (you guys so kindly helped me to determine it was a heater hose). So, I made the connection in my brain that we should fix the leak/replace the hose! It all made sense.
So then, I drove the van! I drove it for about 30 minutes at about 9:30 P.M. (~60 degree weather) and no problems in a drive through picking up food for, stopping at the mailbox, and just cruising! And the leak was gone! I even drove it about an hour and 10 minutes one way, and back, so about 2 and a half hours at about 9 P.M. and then at about 11 P.M. back! No overheating at all, no leak, working beautifully. needless to say, I was thrilled!
BUT then on Friday, I went to a local CVS, about a mile away on a hot day at about 3 P.M. I saw that the temperature gauge started creeping up again! I was so sad :( To confirm, on Saturday, I tried driving the van to a job that I had for the day, and it was overheating again! But I noticed that it would go back to the middle of the gauge when I would be going 40 - 50, and creep up at long stoplights.
My question is, does this mean it is the radiator fan?: I know that on most cars if the overheating happens at stoplight this is the reason, but I wanted advice and thoughts from you Toyota van pros!
**Here is the real kicker: The van made me late to the job! ;( Because when I got to a light I know is very long, to avoid overheating, I turned off the engine. When the light went green, I turned the engine back on: or should I say TRIED to! The van would not start!? What does that mean?! I had to have some nice people help me push it to a parking lot and leave it there while getting another ride to the job! BUT, double-kicker!: When I went back to the van at about 11 P.M., (it sat in the nearest parking lot for about 9 hours), it started right up fine! Does this have to do with the overheating or the battery? I am so confused
Well I know this is a storyfull so thank you SO much for any and all help! I just want to get my vanny running great! Breaks my heart! Aside from these small things, it has so much life in it!