lmei007

My high milage 1996 toyota camry radiator starts leak now. The leakage locates on the top. I am wondering what I can do for this? repaire or replace? Can I do it by myself? It's easy or very hard? I think i am a handyman. thanks

Mike Gerber

It is best to replace the radiator, especially one that has high mileage on it. It is a fairly easy and straight forward job. Download the generation 3 Toyota factory service manual stickied at the top of this forum for instructions. Be sure to bleed the system thoroughly when done. What I do to bleed it is park the car on a slight incline facing forward. The incline of a driveway is sufficient. With the radiator cap off and the system filled with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water, start the car and let it idle. Let it run at idle with the cap off for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You will see air bubbles coming up as the air comes out of the system. After this, shut the car, top off the system and then replace the radiator cap. Also top off the overflow tank. Drive the car for a day or two and then recheck the over flow tank. Top off again as necessary.

Mike

Brian R.

I think 45 min to an hour is overkill. Once the thermostat has opened and you have filled up the system, you should be good to go.

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Brian R.

BTW, Mike, I used to work at Palwalkee Airport as a propellor mechanic....

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lmei007

thank you guys. Very helpful. Very good forum.

lmei007

Thank you, Mike.

Just want to make sure I am really understand your instruction. The purpose to bleed the system thoroughly is get ride of all possible air?

somick

Yes!
Air and antifreeze have different heat exchange rates. Air bubles will create hot spots which may make a lot of damage.

I learned it the hard way: did not bleed the system properly and burnt my heater core.

Good luck on your new radiator,

Sam

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Originally Posted by RIP Please post back when you fix it so we all will learn something

Mike Gerber

What somick said.

Mike