2003 4 cyl camry cooling system issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

LappyKings · 05-31-2011, 10:44 AM

I have a 2003 toyota camry that is having some serious cooling system issues. First off, I have no leaks in the system what so ever. About 2 weeks ago the temp started going up a little bit so that is what caught my attention. After the car cools down the upper radiator hose goes flat. I replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. I have had the system filled and flushed 2 times. I removed the lower hose to make sure nothing was blocking it. I can squeez the lower hose and water runs through to the upper hose. I have no leaks in in the whole water system. I also have no water in the oil so I think the head gasket is fine for now. I do notice that both cooling fans come on at the same time. I am not sure if only one is suppose to be running while the A/C is not on. I also noticed that hot air is only coming through the driverside vents. Not the passenger. I do not have any fluid on the floor of the passenger side telling me that the heater core has gone bad. I dont know what to do at this point. Does anybody have any suggestions?

BlackCamSe · 05-31-2011, 11:55 AM

how many miles? Probably have the notorious failed head bolts. the 2AZ is famous for that

LappyKings · 05-31-2011, 12:39 PM

The car has 218 k but it runs as smooth as when I first bought it.

BlackCamSe · 05-31-2011, 02:28 PM

Look behind the engine. Right under the intake manifold. Is there any pink residue? The head bolts at the rear of the engine are usually the ones that fail.

***JohnGD*** · 05-31-2011, 10:07 PM

Toyota issued a TSB years ago about this failure: TSB 01507, NHTSA #10021542, Dated April 6 2007.

Also AERA issued:

Coolant Loss on 2002-2006 Toyota 2.4L, 2AZFE engines

The following information concerns the loss of coolant on some 2002-2006 Toyota 2.4L, 2AZFE engines. The location of this condition has been noted at the rear of the engine where the cylinder head bolts to the cylinder block.
It has been reported that stripped head bolt threads have been found on some of these engines during tear down. When the two rear head bolts lose their clamping ability they allow coolant to seep out at the rear of the cylinder head.

To repair this condition, engine builders report using thread repair tooling used for various GM engines. Specifically, Cadillac 4.6L engines use the same threaded head bolts (Figure 1). The head bolts for this Toyota engine may be reused if they are not damaged and meet the following length specification.

Using a vernier caliper, measure the length of the head bolts from the seat to the end.

Specified bolt length: 6.350˝ to 6.465˝ (161.3 mm to 164.2 mm). If the length is greater than the maximum, replace the bolt.

This information was provided by the Engine Builders Association (AERA).

LappyKings · 06-01-2011, 09:01 AM

OK,

I've checked the head bolts and felt no pink residue on them. Yesterday when i got home, I flushed out the radiator and the resivior. About 2 weeks ago I put in some head gasket fixer and there was still some of it in the system. It still might need some more flushing done. The hose is no-loger staying flat and i only had to put in 1/2 cup of anit-freeze this morning. No fluid is leaking on to the ground. When I run the car and turn it off, open the hood, I notice that the resivior is slightly bubbling. Not enough to overflow. I do notice now that both fans come on when the system is cooling. Is this suppose to happen? I thought only 1 fan is for the radiator and 1 was for the A/C. The fans when they kick on are causing my headlights to dim now too. I think this is an issue of a cheap battery and I still have the original alternator. If you have any more information on this, it will be greatly appreciated.

BlackCamSe · 06-01-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LappyKings

OK,

I've checked the head bolts and felt no pink residue on them. Yesterday when i got home, I flushed out the radiator and the resivior. About 2 weeks ago I put in some head gasket fixer and there was still some of it in the system. It still might need some more flushing done. The hose is no-loger staying flat and i only had to put in 1/2 cup of anit-freeze this morning. No fluid is leaking on to the ground. When I run the car and turn it off, open the hood, I notice that the resivior is slightly bubbling. Not enough to overflow. I do notice now that both fans come on when the system is cooling. Is this suppose to happen? I thought only 1 fan is for the radiator and 1 was for the A/C. The fans when they kick on are causing my headlights to dim now too. I think this is an issue of a cheap battery and I still have the original alternator. If you have any more information on this, it will be greatly appreciated.

Does is bubble when the car is running as well? Usually that's a sign that exhaust is getting into a cooling system. I've seen a head gasket fail right around the cylinder so that coolant doesn't mix with oil. But exhaust makes it's way into the cooling system. This deffinately sounds like the head bolts to me. And yes the fans are supposed to come on at the same time.

LappyKings · 06-01-2011, 01:33 PM

I checked this afternoon and no white smoke is coming out of the tail pipe. About 3 months ago I had the upper and lower converters replaced.

The fluid does not bubble when the car is running.

LappyKings · 06-06-2011, 08:30 AM

Took it to a certified Toyota mechanic, it is the head bolts.....ugh. Luckly he is a good friend of mine and is only charging me $500 to fix.