Engine overheat and cool air -thermostat?

There's nothign wrong with posting OT requests, so long as they are
identified as OT right from the start. We see those once in a while, and we
help as best we can.

 

I don't really follow your reasoning here. When purging a
Honda radiator system of air, one does in fact start from
cold with the rad cap off. But spitting out fluid? Do you
mean spitting from the filler neck? What are you expecting
with this?

Or spitting it out from some leak somewhere else in the
system?

Sounds like you're on the right track. Googling for {"head
gasket" symptoms} and skimming the hits will also help you
see if you've got a worst case scenario here causing your
symptoms.

Chilton's manuals for older Toyotas are often at one's
public library.

 

If you're going to change out the coolant, you might as well change the
thermostat at the same time. It will save you having to drain coolant
and refill again. If the hoses look like they've been around a while,
you might want to do them too.

 

At this time, i am going to add coolant, top it up, chain rad cap and
see what I am losing/leaking.
I am thinking that it is no use changing the coolant if I am going to
lose it.

I think once I actually figure out what is happening, then I will
change the thermostat, flush and change the coolant correctly. Hoses
and rad seem relatively new to me. Note, I have only had the vehicle
for 2 years.
By the way, I imagine there is much variation with this, but generally,
how long does a thermostat last? Also, I remember that you need to use
gasket seal on both sides of new thermostat gasket --is there any
special gasket sealant needed? like for high heat applications, etc.
please recommend a brand.

 

No gasket sealant is used on Honda thermostat gaskets. Just
the gasket all by its lonesome.

Figure a new OEM thermostat lasts at least five years and
100k miles.

 

To pressure test or not:

I emailed a pretty big Radiator garage about a pressure test and this
is what they said; "The best we can offer to you at the present time is

to bring your vehicle in this Saturday and we will pressure test your
system for free and hopefully find out where your coolant is going.
More than likely, if you have never noticed any coolant on the ground
(leaks) your vehicle probably has a intake or head gasket leak."


It is free, I am inclined to do it this Saturday morning and let the
chips fall where they may. My thinking is usually, if it ain't broke,
but it is broke, so may as well go for it.