Need a little Help Diagnosing Over-heating problem....HELP. :(

[TurboMeTroy]

Bought a '92 Camry, XLE.

Previous owner says it leaked a little anti-freeze, and took it to his mechanic - where the thermostat was replaced. He said it solved the leaking/consumin anti-freeze.

Driving today, and the temp. gauge started to waiver..and finally got extremely hot as I was getting home.

So I check the anti-freeze, it was low..still going somewhere. .but car does not smoke white, and oil is not milky...topped it off, took quite a bit.

Started again several hours later, and it just got warmer...until hot. came back home.

I am thinking it needs a new radiator, but is this a common problem? Also, the water pump was replaced when the timing belt was done about 20 ago...
He also said that when the pressure test was done to determine the cap is bad, the mechanic told him that the radiator is not a toyota radiator and has been replaced at some point....

=Heat blows cold, even when it's super hot (engine).
Could it be rad. and heater core???

A little annoyed after only owning the car for 6 days..Please help.!!!

thank you!



Thank you!

[gonesurfing]

The 5S-FE Camry radiators tend to crack on the upper plastic tank, so check out that area. Also look for wet spots or white precipitate on the radiator fins.

The heat issue is confusing. I think water goes straight to the heater core from the pump, so that seems to be contradicting the "just a leak" theory.

Try this... Make sure your radiator and overflow bottle are adequately filled then go for a drive to purge all the air out of the system. Let the car cool COMPLETELY down and check the radiator to see if it's still full. If not, you have a large leak to track down. It's likely external since you say the car is not smoking. If there is no air, start the car and squeeze the upper radiator hose. It should be firm if the water pump is operating properly.

[Toy_Dreamer]

I had this problem too. Due to the fact that I blew a head gasket. My car got really hot, anti-freeze leaked into the head as well and helped the cause of destroying it. (I blew it because i drove faster than the car could handle, obviously.) But one thing that you should check is have someone drive behind you and if there is white smoke coming out of the exhaust you for sure blew a head gasket.

Remember your heads are made out of aluminum, and can warp and crack fairly easily.

Don't get to excited off of that fact, because like gonesurfing said check your tank, and hoses. You just might have a leaky hose or tank, and if you don't take your car in to get it checked out, because if it is a blown head gasket, you better get it fixed or say buh bye to your car...

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by TurboMeTroy

=Heat blows cold, even when it's super hot (engine).
Could it be rad. and heater core???

Could be water valve on firewall and/or air mix controls in cab. I would check out operation of water valve first.