1997 Camry radiator replacement

[jasguild]

Hi

I recently noticed that the top my radiator has small stress cracks on the plastic and traces of coolant coming out. Rather than watiting for it to fail, I decided to buy a replacement; after all I do have 240k miles on the vehicle and it still has in the original radiator. This will be my job to do this weekend.

The replacement job seems like a straightforward job, but I have read about others having problem purging the air out of the system which may causes overheating problems

Can anyone give me clear instructions on how to refill the tank 1) minimizing air going into the system and 2) purging air out of the system.

Also please let me know what to do if the vehicle does overheat after I have done 1 and 2 above.

I have also read that some vehicles have thermostats with air purge valve. Does my vehicle have such a thermostat?

I want to make sure I am prepared for the unexpected before I start taking stuff apart

Thanks

jasguild

[sr5punk]

i dont know about the air purging valve on the camry, but an old trick is to fill up the radiator, find yourself a steep hill, park the car on the hill so that your going up the hill and the front of the car is at an upward angle. start the car, uncap the radiator and watch all the pretty bubbles come to the top and pop. once the bubbles reduce cap the radiator or fill it as needed and your good to go. dont forget to fill th overflow tank too. hope that helped.

[Buurin]

I don't even worry about it. Changed the coolant once. I just filled the rad and topped off the reservoir. Drive it some and top off again. It'll work the bubbles out on its own.

[ONE_to_HATE]

i replaced mines the other day on my 5s - and all i did was squeeze the radiator hose in intervals while i filled it.

[jasguild]

thanks guys

All went well. I even changed my thermostat which I am sure has never been changed also.

One thing that caught my attention, is that my manual said that my cooling capacity should have been about 1.75 gallons.

However, I only recaptured about 1.25 gallon of old coolant. THat is including the amount that poured out when I pulled the thermostat.

In addition I replaced about a gallon of coolant so its not that it was low on fluid.

Any ideas??

jasguild

[JustinC25]

Originally Posted by jasguild

thanks guys

All went well. I even changed my thermostat which I am sure has never been changed also.

One thing that caught my attention, is that my manual said that my cooling capacity should have been about 1.75 gallons.

However, I only recaptured about 1.25 gallon of old coolant. THat is including the amount that poured out when I pulled the thermostat.

In addition I replaced about a gallon of coolant so its not that it was low on fluid.

Any ideas??

jasguild

There is still some in the heater core as well as the lines, and there is also some still in the block.

The spec of 1.75 gallons is for a completely dry system.