are you sure your water pump didnt fail?

 

I don't think so. The water pump is new. Because I change the timing belt 3 months ago.
And if is the water pump. I will see water/anti freeze leak more toward the engine.

 

After draining the coolant out, it's normal for it to burp out lots of bubbles for a few days and have to top off the overflow reservoir. But it can also indicate a blown head gasket if it doesn't stop. It can also not stop burping air bubbles because of a bad radiator cap.

To check for a broken head gasket, there is a test kit that checks for exhaust gases in the coolant. Look for one at your local auto parts store.

Were you able to find a leak in the radiator? If it's the original, it's lasted a good long time. My Camry's on its third as of a few years ago. Here's a DIY thread for replacing the radiator on a 4 cylinder Camry, yours might be a little different, but the basics are the same. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...tion-1992-1996-1997-2001/277202-diy-1993-camry-5sfe-t-radiator-replacement.html

 

Thanks for you reply. Was very late last night. I will go home and check after work. I am very sure the leak is from the Rad. Where I don't know. The rad. cap should be good (I think) is because before I fill anti- freeze. I use only water and let the car run and next day I see it suck water to the rad. So the cap should function well.

I have to see where or which store carry the gasket tester in Canada. I saw it on youtube.

Yes it orginal Radiator 18 years...lol. I just worry the head gasket cause the problem.

Since I change the oil and no sign of anti-freeze. I will loose up the oil drain plug and see is there any sign of water now inside the oil tank. Some people say if the head gasket have problem. I should see a lot of smoke coming out from the tail pipe when I start the car cold.
Like white or a kind of blue.

Thanks for the link !


Sub0

 

If you're using regular tap water, the bubbling is normal. Tap water has a surprising amount of air in it. You should be using distilled water (available at most pharmacies). Replacing the rad is easy, and I would expect an 18 year old rad to have gone out on you long before now. The only thing that would cause a hitch when replacing the rad, would be the bolts holding it in for 18 years that have most likely rusted and seized, and will break when you try to try to remove them.

You should also never run without "anti-freeze" in your cooling system for extended periods of time. Modern day water pumps aren't meant to run with just water. There are additional lubricating properties in anti-freeze that keep seals and bearing from wearing and leaking prematurely.

Smoke coming out of the car when you start it cold is usually leaking valve seals, not a head gasket. Oil sits on the divot of the valve seal after you shut the car off, and after a few hours will trickle down the valve stem and when you start the car, it burns and you get some smoke. Not usually a big deal initially, but will build up carbon on the valve, and eventually can cause the valve to "burn".

There's 2 easy ways to check if one of your head gaskets is leaking. One is to start the car, let it warm up, turn off the car, let it cool down, then open the rad cap. LET THE CAR COOL DOWN COMPLETELY BEFORE REMOVING THE RAD CAP. I can't stress this enough, after one of my friend's (who is also a mechanic), tried to do the "open the rad cap with a rag covering it", didn't do it right. He wound up in the hospital for 3 days with 2nd degree burns to his face and chest, anti-biotic pills that would choke a whale for 2 months afterwards.

After opening the cap, if there is oil sitting at the top, you've most likely blown a head gasket (check your overflow as well). You could also have a cracked head or block, but those are rare, and diagnosing them is a much more involved process, to not take to a technician.

IF, there is no oil in the overflow, or rad, pull your spark plugs. If one of your head gasket's is blown, normally you will have a spark plug/s that is clean (the glycol, as it burns, will "clean" the normal carbon build-up from the spark plugs).

BTW: Judging from your grammar, I would think that you live in Quebec. If you're in the 514 area (West-Island), I could always shoot over and have a look.

 

I alway using distilled water with anti-freeze. I use tape water just for flushing the Rad.
I leave it for a day is because all stores are close. I keep the car very clean and I think the bolts is o.k. It doesn't look to hard to change. I see a 1/2" hose bolts to the Fan on the driver side front. Which is different compare to a 4 cylinder. Mind is V6. I have to take a picture and see what is that. Too bad I can't find a video change the rad. on a V6 but friend
change it before. He will help me if I run into problems.

Yesterday was raining can't take a closer look at it.. I think there is a crack on the rad. Because when I filling the rad. The first 3L of water no sign of leaking. And when I keep going. The water start leaking at the driver side (right facomg the car) bottom. Look's more like from the left to right Anyway I am going to Canadian Tire and to order one and go from there.

I thank you for you help and offer. I live in Calgary Alberta. I am a Chinese. So my grammar is not as good as you guys sorry. But the help here is great that I can count on.

 

Be careful when using/adding water to the cooling system which could caused a head gasket failure. In your case, I personally think you need a new radiator since it is very cheap anyway, $50 on Fleebay. Make sure you flush the new radiator before adding anti-free. By the way, you do not have to change coolant every year. If you have never changed the water thermostat, I would change it as well. V6 does not give you a lot of room as a 4 cylinder but it could be done.

 

Thanks for the reply, I order a new rad. from Canadiantire yesterday and they say will be here today. I took a closer look at the Camry yesterday and I found out the top of the rad. was leak like crazy. Don't know why sudden it like that maybe is too old but anyway. I ask someone (shop) to change the thermostat a couple of years ago. But look's like there is not much room to access and my skill is not up to that level.
And most car the thermostat are on the upper hose and if that is the case changing the thermostat will be a piece of cake. But this model is on the lower hose and very hard to access. Specially one of the screw/bolt on the top right. But I will take a look at it and see I can change it myself.

I come across a manual how to change the rad for V6 it say :
DISCONNECT PRESSURE HOSE
Remove the union bolt and gasket, and disconnect the
pressure hose from the hydraulic motor. Pressure Hose...Mumm what's that means
I hope it don't shoot upward when I remove that bolt...lol

 

I think you will be okay . I was just concern about the head gasket. Since you have already replaced the water thermostat, I would leave it alone. Just let the engine cool down and drain the old coolant out from a valve at the bottm of the radiator, then start to disconnect hoses, electrical connectors, try not to break them. I think you will be fine. Good luck to you!

 

Thanks for the reply. I found out the Rad. was crack/leak on the top what they call upper tank. I guess is too old (18+ years). I need to replace the rad. no matter what. But if is the
head gasket fail. Well time to let the Camry go.

The download manual show "how to remove the rad" show I have to disconnect the pressure hose (scary me a little ) and after that. I have to bleed the Hydrulic cooling fan system. I might try to remove the fan screws (total 6) and push the fan unit back a little and see I can take the Rad out and put the new one in. Instead remove that pressure hose.

Thanks !

 

For your car 450,000 km=279,616 mile, in my opinion it is still a good one. I have done a head gasket on Toyota Camry 93, 4 cylinder and it took me about a month because it is a hobby and I belive through reasearch, anyone with motivation can accomplish it. Of course you have to have tools and dvasic understanding of how your engine work. Good luck to you! Hope your car run for another 160,000km!

 

Well, after I put the new Rad. on and see what happen. Company here have a Head gasket tester. I will test it after to make sure. I hope is o.k. I was guesting my head gasket might have a problem is all because I see a lot of bubbies come up after I flush the rad, and refill with anti-freeze (before it crack). Maybe there is nothing wrong with the head gasket. Will see


Thanks !

 

My Camry's a V6. I'm pretty sure your '94 V6 Camry does not have the hydraulically powered cooling fans. Just the '92 & '93 have that. When I replaced my radiator, I did not have to disconnect any of the fan's hydraulic lines. I think I just pushed it back and lifted the radiator out.

 

Base on their diagram my 94 Camry have that. Anyway I think I have enough room to push the fan back to replace it.

Thanks !