3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
It's on the back of the engine. You need to raise the front end and then slide underneath to get to it.
When you get to the back side, the intake side, look up and you should see something that looks like a water spigot pointing downwards and a bolt attached to it pointing towards the rear of the car.
You can use a piece of PVC hose to direct the flow so you don't make as much of a mess. The ID of the hose is 5/16" or 3/8", I don't remember which. The bolt is 10mm or 12mm IIRC.
14 mm on a '92 4-cylinder. I just changed my coolant.
A related question:
That engine block plug was a b*tch ro reach and loosen. You have to raise the car high, but still almost no space to turn the bolt. For the next time when I'll do coolant change, what if I only drain the radiator? I know I won't change all the coolant, but hey, when we change motor oil, tranny fluid, etc., frequently, some amount of old fluid will be left in the system. I drained slightly less than a gallon coolant from the radiator and about 2 quarts from the engine block. So if I only drain the radiator, I still change 2/3 of the fluid. I would do it every 18 months instead of every 24 months then. OK, I can't hose out the radiator, but it's not really necessary if it's not dirty, right?
When you get to the back side, the intake side, look up and you should see something that looks like a water spigot pointing downwards and a bolt attached to it pointing towards the rear of the car.
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I have a 97 Camry 4 cylinder, I see that there is a plug under a engine block but nothing like a "water spigot" like you described. Just an bolt. There is nothing that I can connect any tube at all. Does anyone know how to change it without making a mess?
Thanks.
I don't know if you are looking at the right thing then. The drain for the coolant is on the back of the engine, not under it. The only plug under the engine that I can think of is the oil drain plug.
I don't know if you are looking at the right thing then. The drain for the coolant is on the back of the engine, not under it. The only plug under the engine that I can think of is the oil drain plug.
Actually it is on back of a engine. I have a Haynes manual and It is a coolant plug that I am refering to. Just does not have a any place or outlet to connect a tube.
On the 98, probably same as 97, there is just a bolt screwed into the lower back of the block. ... Maybe you could get a 2" or so dia. pvc tube and hold it up to the coolant stream as you removed the bolt. .... also be sure and open the lower drain valve on the radiator. ... and remove the radiator cap.
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98 Camry LE, 2.2L, automatic
50k miles, drop in K&N A/F recent timing belt, water pump
On the 98, probably same as 97, there is just a bolt screwed into the lower back of the block. ... Maybe you could get a 2" or so dia. pvc tube and hold it up to the coolant stream as you removed the bolt. .... also be sure and open the lower drain valve on the radiator. ... and remove the radiator cap.
Thanks dc_98_cam, as long as I am not missing any parts on a drain bolt, I guess I have to drain it old fashion way.
Wow, that's weird. Tarbasd's 1992 I4 and my 2000 I4 had the drain spigot but your 1997 and 1998 do not.
I never said I had a drain spigot. It's just a 14mm bolt. For the question "how to remove it without making a mess", I don't know the answer. I *did* make a mess.
Now you see part of the reason why I want to avoid draining the engine block in the future.
I have a nissan pickup truck with engine drain plug some damn wheres, in 300,000 miles i ve never found it yet. It is not really worth it to me, to go through all that to get that plug out just to drain the block. Why not just flush the engine with clear water one more time instead when doing the change. If the thermostat opens the coolants circulates, after all.
Besides which, if you've ever changed the water pump, voila! Block drain included, no extra work!!!
I guess i'm lazy, but i just change my coolant every two years, flush it through the radiator and running the engine in between - and to hell with the block drain plug. (I've always used the green coolant, I wont use the red. Because I dont believe any coolant can go 5 years-and there have been tech bulletins that the chemicals in the red coolant can clog things up and even wreck your water pump.) Use distilled water too (i always forget this!)
This truck has still got its original radiator after 300k, so my cooling system treatments must be good enough.
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recent timing belt, water pump
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