1992 V6 Camry Overheating nightmare

[FrankJ]

I just wan't to put this out there for others who may have experienced similar situations. I had purchased a 1992 Camry w/ V6. It had high milage (100,000+) but it still ran like new. The original owners kept it garaged and maintained it regularly before upgrading to a new car. I had the car for a couple of years when my girlfriend ran it low on oil and thus overheating the engine. No odd noises were heard but it did smoke and lost all power. I immediately pulled over and had it towed to the nearest mechanic. After having the car for several months the mechanic stated he had replaced the head gaskets and milled the heads flat. Also he replaced the radiator, water pump, timing belts and the idler for the water pump and still it would overheat after just a few minutes of driving. At that point he wanted to replace the engine in addition to the other repairs so I collected my car back and to my suprise and shock learned that the car would no longer start and that there were several other parts missing like the coil and igniter and one wheel cover. I replaced the parts that were missing but the car still won't start. It cranks over fine but I still don't know if it's a fuel or a spark problem. I'm fairly certain that I can get the car to start but I'm puzzled by the overheating issue. I read in a Haynes repair manual that the cooling fan runs off the power steering fluid pump (hydraulic) and wonder it the mechanic(?) had even tested the fans operation. My question is has anyone had any problems with the fan circuit? Is this a weak link on this particular model? And if so are there any suggestions as to where to start? Also beware of whom you take your car to be repaired. I've dealt with this particular individual before and he is the type who just replaces parts until he gets results. He of course wasn't my choice but my girlfriend had already contacted him concerning this repair job. Basically he wanted us to pay him for the parts he replaced(over $1,000.00) plus his labor just to return out car in worse shape and fewer parts than we took it in with. Please make sure you mechanic is reputable and ask around about their work if possible, it'll be worth not having to endure the headaches that we had to. Anyway, If anyone had suggestions in reference to the overheating issue your assistance is appreciated, Thanks in advance.

[dc_98_cam]

Just looking at the Gen 3 engine wiring diagram .... there is a water temp sensor, E5, for the V6, radiator fan. ...This is located on the engine block ... see p. 28 of electronic wiring diagram in repair manual ... See p. 245 for temp sensor resistance specifications, to check for defect.... download wiring diagram/manual from top of forum page. ... There is also a solenoid valve ... for the fan.

[Kep]

Unfortunately, I think that you have answered your own post in a round-about way. You are basing your concerns on the opinion of a mechanic whom you don't trust. Why are you certain that it overheats at all (he had a cash cow, why not milk it?). How do you know that he repaired the parts that he said were repaired? I am afraid that you will need to go back to square one.

Kep

[05cam]

I agree....Somehow you got screwed you said so yourself. But in this case you should go back to square one, as previously stated. You said it smoked. Like out of the tail pipe or just overheatted? Doesnt run? Might need to work at one problem at a time rather than everything at once. Get it to run 1st then see if it overheats. Make sure you have oil in it this time ehy

Keep us updated

[gonesurfing]

Was the car run low on oil or coolant? It sounds like it overheated because of low coolant. If it overheated because of low oil, the engine is likely toast. Have you personally witnessed the engine running since it overheated? He may have done all the work on the heads and then realized that the crank bearings were bad. Either way he doesn't sound like a competent, honest mechanic, especially if he had the car that long.