Heater not as hot after timing belt and water pump replacement - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

samtan04 · 01-01-2011, 01:44 PM

Hi
I have a Toyota Camry 1998 at 144k mileage. I have the timing belt and water pump replaced by a mechanics shop. After that, the heater is not as hot as it used to be (warm air only at maximum).

I took the car back to the shop, and they replaced the thermostat. Now the air at dash is at 125 degree F (improved from like 95 degree), but it is still not hot enough.

The mechanics says the water pump is good, and they couldnt find anything.

Any ideas?

Necos07 · 01-01-2011, 01:58 PM

If they didnt bleed ur cooling system properly it can cause that issue. With the car running, heater ON, & radiator cap OFF the car should burp itself, u can help it by squeezing the radiator hose.

IF U DONT KNOW WHAT UR DOING PLEASE GET HELP! COOLING SYSTEM IS REALLY HOT & CAN BURN U.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-01-2011, 01:59 PM

Try opening the radiator cap (Cold) and starting the vehicle. While the vehicle is running with the cap off, try lightly squeezing the upper and lower radiator hoses and watch the radiator hole for air bubbles. If you dont see any air bubbles, it could be the following problems:

1. Your Water valve (connected to the firewall) Is stuck at 80 - 90% open.
2. Your coolant system could have a partial plug in it still allowing coolant to circulate

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 10:12 AM

Im having the same issue...waterpump and timing belt new, but the heater and engine temp remains relatively low.

Better get this fixed while Im still in Florida cause don't wanna be in Colorado with the heater not working!

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 10:24 AM

Is the water valve on the firewall opened all the way?

Is your thermostat installed correctly? The jiggle valve has to be within 5 degrees.

Did you burp all the bubbles out?

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 10:35 AM

I haven't done anything yet...but thermostat was fine all this time. Another question...someone said you can flush all the coolant out by removing the thermostat and flushing it out the engine block. How do I do that?

Sucks to have to do this cause I did coolant change 2 months ago

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 10:51 AM

you just remove the thermostat, disconnect the upper rad. hose from the radiator, and run water through the upper hose

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

you just remove the thermostat, disconnect the upper rad. hose from the radiator, and run water through the upper hose

And after I do that, would I have to connect the upper hose to something or can I just empty into a bucket? I seen a kit at walmart from prestone but you have to have a water hose to utilize it and I have no access to one

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 05:33 PM

You run the water through the upper hose, connect the lower hose without thermostat connected and place the lower aimed at a bucket. Run water through the upper hose and it will come out the thermostat side into the bucket

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 05:53 PM

And the engine is on at the same time?

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 05:54 PM

no no no no .. lol

Dont do that.

Keep the upper hose kind of vertical and keep adding water, it will come out the thermostat side

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

no no no no .. lol

Dont do that.

Keep the upper hose kind of vertical and keep adding water, it will come out the thermostat side

Oh my gosh, good thing I asked. I thought it was similar to a tranny flush with the engine on. I would have ended up scalding myself

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 07:12 PM

Well if you tried to run your vehicle with both hoses off of the radiator you could also risk overheating the motor and destroying the internals.

Another method to flushing the coolant is to Drain the radiator out, and re-fill it with water let it get to normal operating temperature. Let it cool down and drain it again. This will allow the coolant thats still trapped to circulate back to the radiator. If you dont have access to a hose, I would recommend this method.

96ToyoCam164K · 01-06-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

Another method to flushing the coolant is to Drain the radiator out, and re-fill it with water let it get to normal operating temperature. Let it cool down and drain it again. This will allow the coolant thats still trapped to circulate back to the radiator. If you dont have access to a hose, I would recommend this method.

I read that you have to drain and re-do it like a bunch of times in order for it to be effective...

***Mister_Perkins*** · 01-06-2011, 07:24 PM

Yeah you will have to do it 3 or 4 times to get all of it out

http://www.techguys.ca/howto/coolant_flush.html