'96 2.2 Camry overheating

[low00ranger]

I was doing some city driving for about 2 hours and the car didn't have any problems. I hit the interstate and almost immediately I notice the CEL come on, and I also see the engine temp gauge is all the way up on High. So I slow down considerably to see if the temp goes down which it doesn't. I then notice smoke coming from the hood and promptly pull over. I pop the hood and see smoke coming from 1 spot at the front edge of the radiator, as well as coolant pooled up in various places. The spilt coolant didn't seem to have oil in it. Coolant overflow was empty.

I had a friend pick me up and come back later when the engine is cool, and I refill the radiator and overflow with coolant. Looks like there could be a slow leak in the coolant overflow tank. So I make the 20 mile drive back home with the temp gauge fluctuating between the halfway mark and the 3/4 mark. It nearly hit the H mark a couple of times but went back down to halfway quickly. CEL is still on, and car was smoking somewhat when I park it at my apartment. I popped the hood and saw what appeared to be a mix of steam and coolant spewing from that same 1 spot on the front edge of the radiator. Could have been just steam though, I didn't wanna shove my finger where it was spewing.

I haven't checked for exhaust colors because I'd need someone else to watch while I drive/idle. I will be able to check this in the morning though. 3-4 weeks ago I did notice that some steam or very light smoke seemed to be coming from the front of the car when I would sit at a stoplight. I never saw the temp get high and I couldn't find anything out of place in the engine bay at that time so I ignored it.

The car has 140,000 miles and hasn't had any recent problems except for a bad A/C compressor.

I'd also like to note that once I added engine coolant, I sat in the car revved it several times while also putting it to 2500 RPM and holding for 10-15 seconds. When I did this, the temperature stayed low. But as soon as I put it in drive and hit the interstate, it went almost all the way up to H.

[Stillrunning]

No coolant is supposed to come out of any part of the rad. So it sounds like you may need a new rad. Driving the car at high speeds puts more stress on the cooling system. Have you done regular coolant changes and flushes? You could get a pressure test done which is not too expensive and will show a leak, but I think you have already done your own pressure test.

I understand that on certain year Camrys the overflow container does crack easily. My last aftermarket replacement was about $35.

You don't need a friend to help you watch the exhaust color to dertermine if your burning coolant - believe me you will notice as you lay down a smoke screen.

[low00ranger]

I haven't done regular coolant changes and flushes - and I doubt one has ever been done on this car. That will be something I'll add to my yearly vehicle maintenance - live and learn. When I was adding coolant before driving again last night, I did notice these white flakes surfacing to the top of the fill cap. Does that indicate anything specific, or that there's just trash in the system?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by low00ranger

Does that indicate anything specific, or that there's just trash in the system?

Can't say, I'd assume for now you need to do a complete flush and new fluid along with a new rad. Might as well install a new thermostat as well while you have the fluid drained.

[low00ranger]

I did the whole package this afternoon. Radiator, radiator cap, upper/low hoses, 180 degree T-stat, and coolant flush of course. When I pulled out the old radiator, I saw about a 3 inch crack along the front edge that I couldn't see with the unit installed. So Running, you were 100% correct. I got it all swapped out in about 3 hours with it being my first time, and it works flawlessly. Thanks for the help!

[Mike Gerber]

Be sure to bleed the cooling system thoroughly. Then check the level again after a couple of days of driving. Chances are it will have gone down just a little bit as even more air escapes from the cooling system.

Mike

[idunno271828]

I kinda had the same problem last week. My '96 LE (4 cyl.) has 122,000 miles, and my friend noticed coolant puddling under my car in a parking lot after we stopped to get some coffee. Turns out the radiator was very corroded, and just had to be replaced. Got a new cap, and a flush too.

However, the expansion tank (reservoir) has been shot for a while too. The corners are all brittle, and crumble to the touch. Due to this I've had to add in coolant frequently for a while. So now, with the new radiator and all, I finally bought a new reservoir off eBay for around $15 shipped, and should be arriving soon. Apparently this is a dealer-only part not available in retail stores (I checked at Advance Auto Parts).