I think my radiator is toast? Read my story and give advice plz - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Nevalite · 12-05-2007, 11:59 PM

I drive a 1992 Camry (V4) So here's the story:

When I got off work I got in my car to drive home...after maybe 5 minutes I noticed that the car wasn't heating up at all (BTW I live in Quebec, it was -11 C when this happen) and well I was getting cold...

I looked at my gauges and noticed that my engine temp was way up at the max, past the H, so I decided something was wrong and I pulled over.

I popped the hood and it smelt a little funny, I looked around and noticed a random piece of grillage, I couldn't figure out what it was then I realised it was what the radiator was made of. So I looked at the radiator and noticed a whole bunch of it had started to come off, the big long grill like things that the rad is composed of. Some were stuck in the big fans and stuff. So I took all the broken stuff off and decided I would give it another go.

I continued to drive home, it was ok at first but then things started heating up again. This time the check engine light went on because it was getting too hot, I pulled over and the rad was steaming a bit.

I let it cool off, then I drove some more (it was 12 at night, i was tired, needed to get home). And I would drive a bit, then when it got too hot, let it cool off, etc etc until I got back home. I figured it was the safest way to do it.

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SO my questions are: Is it really the radiator? Is it expensive to fix? Could I just buy a new big grill thing and swap out the mangled one?

Also, are the two big fans in front of the rad supposed to spin? because when I let it cool off a bit, I decided to turn on the car and see if they were spinning, they weren't, but the car was cold at that time. I would imagine they only start up once it gets hotter?

Any help here is appreciated, thanks a lot.

'_' · 12-06-2007, 12:11 AM

FYI: You have an i4, not a V4. Also, if the fans aren't spinning, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're broken. That's about all I can answer.

eurohazard · 12-06-2007, 12:12 AM

Changing a radiator is pretty easy. Finding one on short notice at a good price is harder to do. Obviously the radiator is bad and needs replaced, but hopefully the broken chunks didn't damage the fans. They don't always run, only when the engine is hot.

youngflashycamr · 12-06-2007, 12:15 AM

^^if someone didnt say it i would've snapped...a

and dude if your finding that shit in your bay...get a new radiator ASAP!!! they arent more that 200, 150 in some cases, and all u do is drain, flush, undo a fe bolts and clamps, reverse and youre ste!!

uibalnme · 12-06-2007, 12:19 AM

The radiator is history, replace it. A radiator with damage like you described is more easily replaced than repaired. radiators aren't that expensive either if you know where to look. Ebay is a great place to shop for a radiator. The fans are temperature controlled, and do not turn on until the coolant reaches a certain temperature. The fans shut off after the temperature drops sufficently. There are several DIY threads that detail the radiator replacement process. Use the forum search to find them.

Nevalite · 12-06-2007, 12:27 AM

Alright I knew it must be the radiator. Yeah I searched around and noticed everyone saying its super easy to change. I also looked on ebay and stuff and found some radiators for like $60-100.

I can't seem to find any of these detailed DIY you speak of. If someone could point me to one I will probably try to do this myself.

Thanks

Nevalite · 12-06-2007, 12:33 AM

I found this one:
Gen 3 Radiator install *DIY*

It's not bad but I'm new to all this and one with pics would be better, do any of them have pics?

Thanks

dc_98_cam · 12-06-2007, 01:02 AM

There was a recent post ... regarding the malfunction of the fans due to a defective water temperature switch .... located on the lower radiator, pass. side. Wiring diagram shows this switch has two wires ... brown with red stripe, and also white with black stripe. If you have an ohmeter, specs are given as 0.7k ohms at 110C, and 1.5k ohms at 80C. So, if fans do not appear to work, check/replace this switch. Reference is Gen 3, online repair manual, wiring diagram, p. 242. .... location diagram, part E5, on p. 30.

eurohazard · 12-06-2007, 10:02 AM

Once you actually get in there to do the repair, you'll see how straight forward the process is. I think that is why it's so hard to find detailed photos of the swap. bascially 2 bolts hold the radiator to the support. There are 2 hoses for the radiater fluid, and there are 2 hoses for the transmission fluid (from memory). The rest is just no damaging the new one when you slide it in place.