00 Camry running out of water - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

vertigo14k · 10-05-2010, 03:26 PM

00 Camry 160k miles, 4 cyl keeps overflowing reservoir everytime i make a 10 and over mile trip. So I have to check everyday, just to keep on filling. All this started happening when I made a 400 mile trip. Ever since I have to be checking the radiator water. Today after coming back from the store I seen it was low, I filled it up and turned on engine left running for 5 minutes and raised and lowered rpms and noticed that the reservoir started overflowing again. Can anyone help me. Thankyou

71Corolla · 10-05-2010, 03:30 PM

First thing to do is replace your radiator cap with a new TOYOTA cap (not aftermarket) and see if that clears up your problem. Does the car overheat?

Worst case scenario is you have a blown headgasket and maybe engine damage.

Chris Crash · 10-05-2010, 03:58 PM

This used to happen to me. Problem was the WATER would get too hot and start boiling and force it out the overflow. Drain and fill with antifreeze at the proper mix would be my first suggestion.

vertigo14k · 10-05-2010, 04:03 PM

The car did overheat one time, but i pulled over before it was too late. Added water, and everything was good for two days then after everyday I had to add water. I think probably I do have to flush and add the right mix. I've been adding nothing but water lately, so maybe the antifreeze and water mixture is wrong from the evaporation and spilling.

71Corolla · 10-05-2010, 04:04 PM

I wasn't sure if the OP meant actual water, or just used it as a generic term for coolant.

Chris Crash · 10-05-2010, 04:16 PM

Yeah me neither. But if it's just water, it needs to be out of there before it rusts.

vertigo14k · 10-05-2010, 04:32 PM

Does any one know how much liquid a 00 camry hold, so I can put in the right mix?

carsrus · 10-05-2010, 04:35 PM

Water technically cools better then antifreeze, just to clear things up. However it freezes.

I would flush and fill it with antifreeze and replace your rad cap and thermostat and gasket. Simple and cheap.

71Corolla · 10-05-2010, 04:43 PM

Mix before putting it in the car, or use premix. Never use tap water. Toyota brand coolant is by far the best.

Chris Crash · 10-05-2010, 05:46 PM

Water not only freezes, but boils as well. Too much water in there and you can overheat in the dead of winter, if it's not frozen first...but hey that's what the freeze plugs are for!

71Corolla · 10-05-2010, 06:00 PM

Seeing I have been on an ethylene glycol education kick lately, I looked it up. With a 50-50 mix, it has a boiling point of 225 degrees F, or 107 degrees Celsius. Ethylene glycol also has a much higher vapour point than water.

Pure ethylene glycol has a boiling point of 387 deg F, or 197 deg C. Conversely, the freezing point does not scale down with higher concentrations of ethylene glycol past about 70%. So the most you'll want is a 60/40 mix for protection and freeze resistance. At 60/40 your freeze point is -55F, -48C. If you live in a climate that gets that cold on a regular basis, you have bigger problems trying to keep your car running, like your tires turning to stone.

***JohnGD*** · 10-05-2010, 07:21 PM

Autozone has a radiator cap tester in their Free Loaner Tool program.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...pters/_/N-263r

Rad cap is just one of many things. Others may be clogged radiator, weak water pump, debris blocking the radiator, faulty thermostat, blown head gasket, etc. But rad cap is the easiest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertigo14k

00 Camry 160k miles, 4 cyl keeps overflowing reservoir everytime i make a 10 and over mile trip. So I have to check everyday, just to keep on filling. All this started happening when I made a 400 mile trip. Ever since I have to be checking the radiator water. Today after coming back from the store I seen it was low, I filled it up and turned on engine left running for 5 minutes and raised and lowered rpms and noticed that the reservoir started overflowing again. Can anyone help me. Thankyou

vertigo14k · 10-05-2010, 07:23 PM

I just did a tuneup on the car today, the oil was overdue 500 miles. Would that be a factor in the water getting hotter?

***JohnGD*** · 10-05-2010, 07:33 PM

No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertigo14k

I just did a tuneup on the car today, the oil was overdue 500 miles. Would that be a factor in the water getting hotter?

***Mister_Perkins*** · 10-05-2010, 07:57 PM

ugh, i hate when people say to Replace things first. Thats the worst thing you can do.. Your just wasting money on a crap-shoot that "MIGHT" fix the problem. Diagnose the problem. Not saying everyone said to just replace stuff, but I see it all the time!!!

1. Get your Coolant system Pressure checked. If you have an air compressor you can rent the gauges at Autozone or Advanced auto and you will get your money back when you return them. Set the regulator on the gauge to 15lbs, pop off your radiator cap and screw the gauge you rented into the top of the radiator. Put air to it and let it pressurize for about 20 - 30 minutes. Get yourself a shop light and check around everything that deals with coolant.
1a. make sure to check on the bottom of the motor as well. if its leaking through the weep hole it will leak down to the bottom of the motor and drip on the ground.
1b. Also make sure to get your Cap pressure checked as well, a leaky cap could cause your car to not maintain proper pressure and will overheat.

2. If you see no leaks, Pull your timing cover off and grab your timing belt and pull on it, looking at your waterpump to see if it moves. If it has play in it, your waterpump bearing is culprit and you should replace your waterpump.

3. If the thermostat is broken in the closed position the engine would overheat rapidly. If it was broken in the open position the engine cooling system would not reach normal operating temperature and the heater would produce only warm air. Take the thermostat out and put it in a pan of water on the stove. When the water gets to around 200 deg F, the thermostat should open. If it doesn't it needs replaced. Observe carefully that you have not installed the thermostat upsidedown.

One way to do this is to grab your upper radiator hose and your lower radiator hose and feel the difference while the motor is heating up. If you can feel the lower hose all of a sudden get hot, then your thermostat is working properly. If it stays cold or warm the whole time (noticeably different temperature compared to the upper) Your thermostat is probably stuck. *** NOTE: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY. THE COOLING FANS CAN TURN ON AT ANY SECOND AND THIS METHOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SAFELY DETERMINING A BAD THERMOSTAT (but it does work

)

You can also pull the thermostat out, visually inspect it, boil water and drop the thermostat into the water. If it is working properly it will open up on its own. If it is stuck it will not open.

Try these steps and you will spend about 30 - 40.00 USD in renting but overall it will be free because you will get your $$ back when you return it