Camry engine overheat, radiator fan not work

[dk1975]

My Camry 2001 4 cylinder get hot very soon after start. It get to half of the temperature clock after 2-3 minutes. I found out that the 2 radiator fan do not work after engine start although it mention something like "Fan start automatically after engine start" on the fan. I have tried to swap the radiator fan relay to another Camry that has fan working ok but nothing change. I don't know about the fan relay No. 2 and No. 3. However, the fans do work when I turn AC on.
I have consult a mechanic and he said "if the temperature does not go futher, its fine". However, the other Camry does not get hot that quick and that hot. Any ideas on what I should do?
Thanks a lot

[Kenny_McCormic]

The fan only runs when the coolant gets hotter than halfway up the temp gauge. halfway up is normal, especially normal in 3 minutes, my car is that hot in 3 minutes and its below 0*C outside.

[dk1975]

The radiator fans will not run even at more than half way the temp gauge, even after I travel a couple of hundred kms non-stop. I can feel that this car's engine is much hotter than the other Camry.

[somick]

Originally Posted by dk1975

The radiator fans will not run even at more than half way the temp gauge, even after I travel a couple of hundred kms non-stop. I can feel that this car's engine is much hotter than the other Camry.

Your feelings do not really count much.
Download your repair manual from www.camrystuff.com.
Verify the correct temperature for your engine and then borrow/buy a thermometer. Check the temperature of your engine. That will give you the real picture.

Good luck,

Sam

[Kenny_McCormic]

The engine should run at 180-190* Fahrenheit. Maybe you have a bad thermostat in your cooler camry?

[dk1975]

Thanks a lot, you guys are excellent. I have checked the service spec for 5S-FE engine and see this:
Valve opening temperature: 80 – 84°C (176 – 183°F)
Valve lift at 95°C (203°F) 8 mm (0.31 in.) or more
I googled for how thermostat work and found this http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm
My understanding is that the thermostat valve will close until engine reach 176-183 then it will open to let coolant run to radiator to cool down, at this point, the radiator fan will also start to work, is it correct?
Can someone explain what does it mean "Valve lift at 203°F"?
Must I use a laser thermometer to measure engine temp, how? Can I use a normal electronic thermometer?
If I'm to replaced the thermostat, should I use a normal thermostat or a bypass thermostat for the 5S-FE engine. This is not mentioned in the manual.

[somick]

Originally Posted by dk1975

Thanks a lot, you guys are excellent. I have checked the service spec for 5S-FE engine and see this:
Valve opening temperature: 80 – 84°C (176 – 183°F)
Valve lift at 95°C (203°F) 8 mm (0.31 in.) or more
I googled for how thermostat work and found this http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm
My understanding is that the thermostat valve will close until engine reach 176-183 then it will open to let coolant run to radiator to cool down, at this point, the radiator fan will also start to work, is it correct?
Can someone explain what does it mean "Valve lift at 203°F"?

Valve lift is most likely when the thermostat opens

Originally Posted by dk1975

Must I use a laser thermometer to measure engine temp, how?

Yes

Originally Posted by dk1975

If I'm to replaced the thermostat, should I use a normal thermostat or a bypass thermostat for the 5S-FE engine. This is not mentioned in the manual.

Never remove thermostat!!! It is there for a reason. Check "howstuffworks" fro more info.

As far as I remember my Accord's working temperature is around 200 to 300 degrees. I do not think that Toyota is much different.

Sam

[Kenny_McCormic]

The fan will only run if the radiator and air flow from driving is not enough.