overheating still, basics covered - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dohcrxl · 08-18-2005, 12:34 PM

Hello,

I have a 94 camry v6 xle that has an overheating problem only when left idling or in stop and go traffic. I've replaced the front bank head gasket because there was evidence of coolant on the plugs and the compression was low on 2 clyinders. I also replaced the thermostat for added reassurance.

I'm suspicious of the single radiator fan that is driven by the power steering pump. It appears to be spinning very slow to me, maybe 2000 rpm's only. I know that electric fans spin 2-3 times that so could this slow spinning fan be part of my problem?

Also, there is what appears to be an inline filter in the power steering line that feeds the radiator fan. What is this thing actually and what does it do? Maybe it controls line pressure and has become clogged thus not allowing the fan to spin at normal speeds? Please help.

Thanks!

V6LE_CAMRY · 08-18-2005, 01:08 PM

you should try changing that filter and changing the PS fluid with new ATF if that doesn'y help then you might have to replace your water pump.

And yes some camrys cooling fans are hydralic driven by the PS pump.

V6LE_CAMRY · 08-18-2005, 01:11 PM

Oh and when you replaced the T stat did you put the bleed pin striaght up? if not you will probably have to put it in right.

dohcrxl · 08-18-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V6LE_CAMRY

Oh and when you replaced the T stat did you put the bleed pin striaght up? if not you will probably have to put it in right.

Yes everything that was done was done was done correctly. I'm an Acura technician at a local dealership but am just unfamiliar with Toyotas. This cooling fan system that's incorporated into the p/s is just new to me.

If someone could answer my question about what that filterlike item is or how fast the fan is supposed to be spinning that would be great.

Oh, waterpump was done a year ago and the system is properly bled.

Any further input is appreciated.

deekay140 · 08-18-2005, 07:03 PM

that fan will kick up pressure when the car is reved.

do you know its overheating, or are you basing that on the gauge reading?

dohcrxl · 08-20-2005, 09:26 AM

(no I don't think it's overheating when it's actually not, yes valve timing is dead nutts, yes i remembered to put coolant in the radiator, no i didn't install the t-stat upside down, no i didn't use permatex in place of the head gasket, etc, etc.)

Aiyyyyya!! I just want to know how fast the fan is supposed to spin and what that filter-like item is!

calling all or any toyota dealer technicians...

fellow acura dealer techinician needs your input

nodrogkam · 08-20-2005, 09:41 AM

Is there only ONE fan in your camry? I know my Gen4 Camry has two. One that spins probably about as slow as you are describing while idle, but it spins faster as the car gets hotter and when its reved. the other fan kicks in too when its too hot or when the A/C unit is turned on.

The filter like item is more than likely a filter? if you know how to take it out, maybe take it out and take a gander at it and see if its clogged. And you would probably be able to tell if the PS fluid was dirty or not, right? You are a techi.

AdamS · 08-20-2005, 11:26 AM

These diagrams are from the factory service manual and may help you out...BTW I would recommend you purchasing one for maintaining this car...course, then again if you did you wouldn't need TN

Oh and it IS a filter, in case you could not gather from the pic ("Cooling System"). BTW, the fan rarely spins VERY fast, it is pretty low key and quiet. For peace of mind, you could Check the solenoid valve. The resistance is from 7.6ohms-8.0ohms at 77oF. If you don't want to get dirty, the cooling fan ECU is under the glove box ("Fan ECU"), has a ten pin connector. Check the other image for testing.

Cooling System

Fan ECU

-Adam

dohcrxl · 08-20-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

Is there only ONE fan in your camry? I know my Gen4 Camry has two.

Yes there is only ONE fan in this camry I'm fixing as stated in my original post. From what I understand, in that single 3rd gen, 92-94 had single hydraulic fans while 95-96 had dual electric fans.

Quote:

if you know how to take it out, maybe take it out and take a gander at it and see if its clogged.

jfyi you can't see inside the baffles/honeycombs of a liquid filter as it's enclosed/encased so you can't accurate tell if it is clogged

Quote:

And you would probably be able to tell if the PS fluid was dirty or not, right? You are a techi.

Clean fluid doesn't mean clean filter. Hey, I came here looking to ask a few questions about a system I was not familiar with, I did not ask to be patronized. You as a guest at a Honda forum I help moderate would not be subjected to this sorta thing.

AdamS, thank you very much, exactly what I asked and needed.

nodrogkam · 08-20-2005, 09:23 PM

my appologies really i wasnt here to patronize anyone. My sentence was subjective, but i didnt say or mean it condescendingly. Mmm well i guess my two cents wasnt worth anything and thats fine, its just a forum and a place to talk and throw out ideas.

Again my appologies.

deekay140 · 08-21-2005, 11:26 AM

I am a toyota master tech, there is no real spec.

If you ground the op1 and e1 connectors in the data link box (use a paperclip, and jump them) with the car running , it will ground the ect sensor and cause the fan to go into fail safe at 1100 rpms.. this will tell you if the fan motor and hydraulic system is good. if so , then you have a electronic problem, also when you jump the terminals, if the fan kicks up, check your airflow, Is the radiator or condensor clogged?

How fast does the temp shoot up?, you may have another blown gasket, or a cracked head.

Did you possibly get the wrong gasket and block a coolant port?

I actually remember a problem with some of the factory coolant back then, It was real
corrosive, causing the water pump impellers to be eatin away. Does it seem to have good flow?

Those cars are also notorious for rack and pinions going, which can cause loss of pressure in the hydrulic system which controls the fan.

let me know what you come up with?

Axel Kain · 08-21-2005, 02:32 PM

that power steerin part is true for me, its always fun to have tranny fluid up to your elboes!! my fan (idleing) is fast enough, so i feel air moving back near my MAF.

Killinchy · 08-28-2005, 12:39 PM

Are hydraulically driven fans common? Seems to be a very complicated system. My old Nissan pick-up never overheats even with a yard of gravel in it, but my Camry overheats after a few hours of hard driving if I'm using the a/c.. It's OK if I can keep going, but if I stop, the temp shoots up again. There is play in the fan, and a clicking sound from the hydraulic pump. Do I need a new pump?

I've had the rest of the cooling system checked by a Toyota dealer and there is "no problem" - I don't think he believed me, and was very patronising.