95 Camry New Radiator/Overheating

[iceman99]

Radiator had developed a hair-line crack in the top. I was able to go for quite some time with it like this as long as radiator was kept full of fluid. Finally replaced it with a new radiator and engine started overheating. Double checked all connections. Replaced thermostat and still didn't help. Noticed the electric fans weren't coming on when the temperture gauge approached the red. I was able to engage the fans by disconnecting the double prong connector between the driver side fan and the sending unit. Still got hot with fan on. Could this be airlock? If so, how can I bleed the air from the engine block? Already tried squeezing the radiator hoses.

[yotatechie04]

I don't think that there are any air bubbles trapped in the engine anywhere that's causing the problem. I do believe that the coolant reservoir has a vented cap to release air in those kinds of situations. You might have possibly damaged a temperature sensor during the change, or forgot to connect something you disconnected. You should open the radiator filler cap and run the car with the heater on full blast until it reaches normal operating temperature. Once it's reached normal operating temperature, you need to squeeze both the top and bottom radiator hoses simultaneously in order to get the rest of the coolant circulating. If there are any air bubbles in the system, they will come out once you've done this. You will probably need to add more coolant as you're working with it...

[Mike Gerber]

iceman99,

When you are bleeding the air out of the cooling system as yotatechie04 suggested, it helps if you have the front of the car raised slightly.

Mike

[Bmaintz]

Park the Camry on a steep hill with the engine up (block your tires).... You could also use drive on ramps as I have done....

[yotatechie04]

Yes, it does help quite a bit to force the remaining air out.