Bleeding Cooling System V6

[TacomaSR54x4]

Does anyone know the proper way to bleed the cooling system on a 92 V6 Camry? I heard that you can just leave the radiator cap open and let the engine run will push all the air out.

[TacomaSR54x4]

Also why am I getting oil in my coolant? Head gasket maybe?

[marc780]

Originally Posted by TacomaSR54x4

Also why am I getting oil in my coolant? Head gasket maybe?

Yep, probably you got a blown head gasket...thats about the only reason. Make sure it is ENGINE OIL, it could also be transmission fluid if you've got an auto - its possible the cooler (its built into the radiator) has broken or rusted through.

If it is engine oil (the oil level will either go down or it will go UP and if the level goes up thats a sure sign of a blown head gasket).

You could do a compression check yourself (a blown head gasket might show itself as low readings in two adjacent cylinders) or there are special dyes you can dump in the oil and then wait for it to appear in the coolant.

Other signs of blown head gasket: coolant coming out the exhaust pipe, engine overheats, spark plugs in most cylinders black but look different (wet from coolant, or clean like they have been washed) in one or two of the others.

I guess you have a few choices to make - if you are not sure if the gasket is blown, have it checked by a pro, then if this were my car here's what my options would be:

-do a valve job myself,
-have a pro do a valve job ($$$$$ not cheap),
-rebuilt engine,
-or maybe the most economical one, swap with a used japanese engine.
-Or dump the car.

[TacomaSR54x4]

The thing about my car is it also leaks oil so, oil level won't go up and down. It doesn't have coolant coming out of exhaust though. It does have a history of overheating due to faulty radiator but, thats fix now.

[TacomaSR54x4]

does anyone have any input on system bleeding?

[Mike Gerber]

Your biggest concern should be the possible head gasket problem.

That said, to properly bleed the system, raise the front end of the car slightly, if possible. Parking the car nose up on a slightly inclined driveway should do the trick. With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap. Now start the engine and let it idle for 45-60 minutes. It will take a long time for the engine to get good and hot without the radiator cap on. Some coolant will probably bubble up and out of the radiator. This is normal. After 45-60 minutes, top off the coolant in the radiator and replace the radiator cap. Now top off the overflow tank to the full mark. Drive the car for 15-20 minutes and then recheck the coolant level in the overflow tank. Add more coolant if necessary. Check the level again in a couple of days and if down, add more coolant.

Mike

[1996camry]

99% you're having head gasket problem.....