3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I recently bought my second '92 Camry (212,000 miles--yes, I bought it with that many). The previous owner had bypassed the heater core...and I finally had a chance to replace it.
I am not a mechanic, but I can get by. So, I replaced the heater core myself (once again thrilled that my Camry is so user freindly and relatively easy to work on--even for a bonehead like me!)
I turned on the car, cranked up the heater and drove around the block.
No hot air....then the hissing started. Got it back into the garage and found the problem:
Leaking from both pipe connections.
The core came with no directions, so I only went by the manual--which of course, just told me to pull it out, replace it, and hook it up.
So, I obviously did it wrong. I merely stuck the rubber o-ring on the end of the pipes, connected them to the stud on the core, and slipped the copper c-clamp over the joint.
So what did I miss? Adhesive, silicone?.....there seems to be a tiny bit of play in the connection as well. Is this the way it is supposed to be?
Sorry for the long winded post, if you've gotten to the end, thanks.
Any help would be appreciated!
Last edited by 2nd92camry; 12-16-2010 at 11:57 PM.
I haven't replaced a heater core in the camrys but if your leaking from where copper lines connect behind the dash, I would suggest to sweat the copper lines together with Solder and a propane torch (Kinda like household water lines). That will ensure a good seal.
Make sure to have water, or a fire extinguisher on hand if you are doing this while the lines are installed inside the car
I'm almost positive these lines are supposed to be tight fitting (no-play).
once the new core was installed, did you try flushing water through it from the firewall in the engine compartment? i thought camry had a valve of some sort before the heater core to redirect the coolant depending on its temperature, but i could be completely off base.
the aluminum is fine. You will have to find some way of sealing it though. If you have access to a tig welder, weld it up. If not, get some kind of hardening epoxy and glue the connections together. Keep in mind the epoxy will have to be a temperature resistant epoxy too. Like I said though, the lines should not swivel or move at all.
There is a valve for the heater core that the heater knob connects to. Its either closed or open though. HOT side would be open, cold side would be closed
the aluminum is fine. You will have to find some way of sealing it though. If you have access to a tig welder, weld it up. If not, get some kind of hardening epoxy and glue the connections together. Keep in mind the epoxy will have to be a temperature resistant epoxy too. Like I said though, the lines should not swivel or move at all.
There is a valve for the heater core that the heater knob connects to. Its either closed or open though. HOT side would be open, cold side would be closed
Thanks everyone.
Installed a new core--perfect. BUT its doesn't blow very hot.
Coolant level is fine.
Thermostat is working (car heats up to just under half way like usual)
Heater Core Pipes and Core itself is super HOT when heater is on.
Heater is blowing- just barely warm.
Knob is moving the water control valve back and forth. But the knob "clicks" when I turn it.
I'm confused, and have no idea why this thing is not working. Is the valve partly stuck and not enough hot coolant is going into the core?
Last edited by 2nd92camry; 12-18-2010 at 07:53 PM.
Installed a new core--perfect. BUT its doesn't blow very hot.
Coolant level is fine.
Thermostat is working (car heats up to just under half way like usual)
Heater Core Pipes and Core itself is super HOT when heater is on.
Heater is blowing- just barely warm.
Knob is moving the water control valve back and forth. But the knob "clicks" when I turn it.
I'm confused, and have no idea why this thing is not working. Is the valve partly stuck and not enough hot coolant is going into the core?
Sounds like the Valve is stuck. I would open the hood and try to manually turn the valve see if it opens. The clicking (to me) sounds like the gears are slipping from a stuck valve on the knob that connect to the cable that connects to the valve.
I am not that familiar with the toyota heater core
but on some vehicles there is a blend door where you turn the knob from cool to heat.
Sometimes that cable comes loose and even though you turn the knob all the way to heat that door doesn't get closed. So the cold air doesn't get turned all the way off.
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these vehicles are equipped with an air mixture damper control only. I dont think there is a separate blend door. The hot / cold depends on how far you have the damper control turned (Hot / cold knob)
these vehicles are equipped with an air mixture damper control only. I dont think there is a separate blend door. The hot / cold depends on how far you have the damper control turned (Hot / cold knob)
No blend door?! Now I'm really confused.
There is hot fluid going through both pipes, so I have no idea whats going on.
I guess I'll check the water control valve to see if its partially stuck and not ENOUGH fluid is getting into the core?
Even though the core and pipes are super hot, its the only thing that makes sense.
What does the Air Mixture Damper Control, control? What switches the cold to hot on the heater core box?
The air mixture damper control connects to the water valve on the firewall of the car. Its actually the knob / cable assembly (Air Mixture Damper Control).
When you turn it to hot, it opens the valve up and lets it circulate through the heater core. It goes into the core, and back out of it and gets circulated back through the coolant system. When you close the valve it stops the circulation through the heater core, Hence you can adjust the air mixture damper control (Knob) to cold and get cooler air.
Hot = circulate coolant
Cold = No Circulation
You can clearly see from the diagram at the top ( # 1 and # 2 ). This is the Heater Core. it doesn't connect to anything else. Its a Radiator . Once it heats up, it emits the heat and the blower motor sucks the heat from the Heater Core and pushes it through the vents (blower motor)
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