Heater Output 1998 Camry 4 Cylinder

[cdlubbe]

Hello:I have a 1998 Camry Le with a 4 cylinder.It has 99,000 miles on it.I bought it a month ago.
Ever since I bought it,I have never really been happy with the heater output.
The gauge will go to about the 1/2 mark on the gauge. When driving at lower in town speeds,or when at idle,it just does not seem to be as hot as I think it should be.But,at higher speeds,it seems fine.I have noticed while sitting at a stop light,I can put the car in neutral and rev up the RPM,s,the heat starts coming out alot warmer. I have not owned a toyota for years.
I have a 95 Olds Cutlass with a V6,and it will cook you out of the car!!!
Maybe I am being too picky?
I just like to have very hot heat in my cars.
I just changed the waterpump,thermostat and all new coolant,and it still puts out the same amount of heat.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Is this just normal for these 4 cylinder Camry,s?
Does this sound like a partially clogged heater core?I have never owned a car with a partially clogged heater core,so I do not know what symptoms it would have?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards...Chuck Lubbe
Silvis,Illinois

[weran43]

Unfortunately, I don't have any answers to your problem, except to add that my 2002 (4cyl) Camry exibits the very same symptoms, that is: it takes forever to get the heat up to speed, usually up to 20 minutes or so of highway driving.
The heat on my other 2002 Camry (6cyl) works somewhat better, although it's not much to rave about, either.
My bigger problem, though (as I indicated in another posting), is that I don't get any heat on my feet in my LE (4cyl) model - I suspect a cracked vacuum hose somwhere or something to that effect.

[wapenn]

I think the problem (if you want to call it a problem) is that these engines are so efficient that at idle or low speeds, there just isn't enough fuel being burned to generate enough excess heat to really warm things up.

Most of the energy from burning fuel is used to move the pistons. Lost energy in the form of heat is actually wasted and this is what cooling systems are designed to eliminate. When you rev up your engine or drive on the highway, more heat is generated from the extra fuel being used and that is why it get's warmer.

My GF has a '96 Camry and she also complained of the heat. There is a small possibility that the thermostat could be stuck open or there could be some other problem with the spring in the thermostat, but this is unlikely in a car this new. If you decide to have a radiator flush (which is a good thing to do at close to 100k miles if it hasn't been done) they could easily check/replace your thermostat at that time. Thermostats usually last longer.

When bearing the mild discomfort from the lack of heat, I find comfort in knowing that the car is so efficient with fuel. If you were running a big ol' gas guzzling V8 you'd be toasty and warm but throwing money out the window.

Best wishes and enjoy your Camry.

[Amarc]

It is possible that the thermostat is deffective and it does not open at the right temperature thus it does not let the coolant get warm enough to give you heat (the thermodtat is supposed to open at 180 degrees). You can try changing the thermostat with a new one. A thermostat is not very expensive and very easy to replace. Just remove the two bolts holding the thermostat housing. You don't even have to drain the whole coolant. when you remove the two bolts just place a pan under the engine and you only lose about a pint of coolant. After you replace the thermostat just top up the rad with pink coolant from Toyota. Hope this helps.

[weran43]

Originally Posted by Amarc

It is possible that the thermostat is deffective and it does not open at the right temperature thus it does not let the coolant get warm enough to give you heat (the thermodtat is supposed to open at 180 degrees). You can try changing the thermostat with a new one. A thermostat is not very expensive and very easy to replace. Just remove the two bolts holding the thermostat housing. You don't even have to drain the whole coolant. when you remove the two bolts just place a pan under the engine and you only lose about a pint of coolant. After you replace the thermostat just top up the rad with pink coolant from Toyota. Hope this helps.

I appreciate the response.
This all makes a lot of sense ... provided that the 'low heater output' problem didn't start from the get go. Somehow, I suspect it's a design issue, though.
But, as I stated, my bigger problem is not getting heat to my feet area, which as I read somehwere appears to be related to broken gears or something like that in the 'servo' unit.
I would appreciate some direction as how to attack this particular problem ... without leaving wads of money at the dealership, that is.