thermostat open

[sub0]

Hello All,

I think my 1994 Camry V6LE the thermostat was stuck open all the time. Because by looking at the temp. readout it alway point at the bottom sometimes maybe 1/5 up from the scale.

There are still heat, but is not as hot like before. Right now is summer A/C working fine.
If car sit idle the temp. might go all the way up to the middle. But when driving is drop almost to the bottom.

My question was, Where is the thermostat location for 94 Camry V6LE can't find it, and should I get 3rd. party parts or toyota part, how much am I looking for and is that hard to change ?

Thank you !

[toyomoho]

Follow the large hose at the bottom of the radiator to the inlet housing on the engine cylinder head. This may be under the air cleaner assy. The thermostat is inside this housing. You will need to remove three nuts, plus a sensor wire plug(s), etc to pull the housing off the head. When you pull out the thermostat, take note of which direction the thermostat is installed in the head. Plus the location of a small hole (filled with a very loose rivet) on its outer flange. You will want to replace the thermostat in the exact same position. The hole should be inline with a bolt stud at the top of the head.

Any auto parts store or Toyota dealer would have this item. Make sure you get the same temperature thermostat, (the temp is marked on the outer flange). Also get one with the same small hole on the outer flange. This allows air in the coolant system to bleed out. Be sure to get any new gaskets you need at the same time, as they may not be included with the thermostat.

This is a pretty easy job. You will need to drain the coolant out of the engine using the **** valve on the radiator, retain this coolant as you can reuse it. Thermostat cost would be around $7-30 depending on where you purchased it. Toyota makes a good thermostat and would have any gaskets needed.

[sub0]

Thank you for your information. I will pop the hood up before this weekend and check and get the part.

I think is still safe to drive for now, since the thermostat was stuck open not close. So I don't see any overheating for now.

Sub0

[toyomoho]

They usually stick open or closed. You can buy a thermostat that will fail in the open position. They are called fail safe.

[sub0]

Thanks I see. Just call the dealer they charge $24.00 cdn for it and the gasket around 9.00$
going to get it and see what happen. I wonder do I change this on top or have to go under the car. Since it was so hot today have to wait till it cool down before I can check or fix it.

[sub0]

Have another question !

After I do some more reading.

Will it possible there is something wrong with the Engine coolant temp, sersor and sent signal to the thernostat to open all the time ? INstead the thermostat is no good. Or I can't tell unless I have to open it.

Thanks !

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by sub0

Have another question !

After I do some more reading.

Will it possible there is something wrong with the Engine coolant temp, sersor and sent signal to the thernostat to open all the time ? INstead the thermostat is no good. Or I can't tell unless I have to open it.

Thanks !

You can check the engine coolant temperature sensor with a DVM (digital volt/ohmeter) and the specs from any manual. There is a generation 3 manual stickied at the top of this forum that is available for downloading for free. I believe it is actually a 94 manual. The engine coolant temperature sensor simply tells the computer what the engine temperature is; it doesn't control the engine temperture. I would still suspect the thermostat is stuck open as you first indicated, since you said the heat is not as hot as it used to be.

I would recommend the Toyota OEM thermostat and gasket. It is not that much more than the aftermarket part and you know you will get the right thermostat rated at the right temperature.

Mike

[sub0]

Thank, I think you are right, I just come home and take a look at it, there are more that 3 screws, since there are a few more stuff mounting that area looks like is the tranmission coolant and I also see a pipe going thru. it and I trace it went into the firewall some how.

I will do anothere check later, since the car was way to hot to check right now.


Thanks again.

Sub0

[Digger1]

Originally Posted by sub0

Will it possible there is something wrong with the Engine coolant temp, sersor and sent signal to the thernostat to open all the time ?

Just for the record:

Your thermostat is a purely mechanical device. i.e., it neither takes nor does it send any electronic signals.