99 solara overheating issues

[blkcamry94]

my 99 solara started overheating so i changed the thermostat and still the same problem. yes i checked the fluids and everything before i changed the thermostat. my question is someone told me there could be an air pocket in the engine and i need to bleed it out. is that a possiblity if so where is the bleeder or release valve?

[fenixus]

to mods: why was this thread moved? this car has the same engine and cooling system as any other camry!!??
besides in my honorable opinion, creating a separate forum section for solaras is a dumb idea. no one reads that, including solara owners. all the fun apparently happens in camry forums.

to blkcamry:
as first aid step, please go to dealer (or order online) a new radiator cap. it's CRUCIAL for the system to maintain pressure under load. pressurized cooling system allows for maintaining a higher boiling point.

to bleed the system right, you need to let it run with the rad cap open and squeeze the upper radiator hose (make it burp) a few times until no more air bubbles come out. do this when engine is cold, never open a rad cap when car is hot.

if you open the rad cap on a cold car and notice the coolant level is low then top it off immediately until full then close it and let it idle, watch the coolant temp gauge on dash.

the last two things are:
a) a clogged radiator (how old is it?)
b) failed water pump (when was it changed last time? regular interval for 5s-fe is same as timing belt, namely 90k miles).

[blkcamry94]

Thanks I'll try that

[fenixus]

any trouble, post back. I would suggest setting a new thread in camry section, just don't put "solara" in thread title, call it a "5s-fe" if that's a 4cylinder or "1mz-fe" if this is a V6

there is plenty of knowledgable people over there, I don't know why mods moved this.