radiator flush--no heat? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cjagg25 · 03-10-2008, 12:21 PM

88 CAMRY AUTO4CYL. I just recently flushed and filled the radiator at penzoil. It was warm the day I had it done and warm about the next week or so, but soon as the cold days hit the coolant level guage barley goes up.
Even If i drive it for 20-30 minutes it will still not rise that high(to at least normal) . Also the higher the speeds the colder it gets!!My car is barely blowing semi-warm air! It's getting cold I have to get this fixed! Please help thanks!I was thinking thermostat is this correct?

also my car when cold takes about 4-6 crankovers and when its warm maybe 1-2 like it should! any ideas?

Mike Gerber · 03-10-2008, 12:43 PM

You have the classic symptoms of a thermostat that is stuck in the open position. Change the thermostat and it's gasket (I recommend Toyota OEM for these parts) and your heat should be restored.

As for the hard starting when cold, I would check the "Cold Start Time Switch." You will need a digital volt/ohmeter to do this and the specs from any manual. If you are standing in front of the engine, the cold start time switch is located on a water port coming off the right side of the cylinder head. It is the one under the brown plastic connector. Check this before just replacing it. It is a dealer only part that runs around $100.

Mike

marc780 · 03-18-2008, 01:50 PM

Mike is right change the thermostat now and dont wait! Its not a big deal for a thermostat stuck in the open position but its a warning that it might be about to stick closed instead - i had a 1985 nissan 200sx like this and that is exactly what happened, i blew up the engine because of it.