2000 Camry overheating

[Brian R.]

Any antifreeze will work as long as you keep it 50:50 - 60:40. Only the modern engines are somewhat picky as to the type of antifreeze.

Don't mix red and green. They are not compatible.

your proposed procedure will work. You don't have to go to the trouble of running it for more than a few minutes at operating temperature to flush it. Make sure your heater is on to circulate the flush through the heater core and hoses.

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by jaggudada

Brian, You certainly have wealth of knowledge!!

Advise is worth what you paid for it.

[jaggudada]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Advise is worth what you paid for it.

Which is Million bucks Right !!!

Just to cap it off, sounds like replacing Water pump and Thermostat should resolve the issue. A friend from whom I bought this car said, he had check engine light on, he took it to Toyota dealer and they said they changed t-stat. So I am assuming that is OE and working fine. So only other thing left to do would be Water pump. I'm going to do timing belt while at it. If that doesn't resolve, may have to replace t-stat as it may not be working properly.

Does this sound right to you? Thanks for all your help, I learnt a lot.

[Brian R.]

I would test the thermostat before I did anything else. You don't have to change the water pump with the timing belt.

[jaggudada]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

I would test the thermostat before I did anything else. You don't have to change the water pump with the timing belt.

If the bottom hose gets touch to hot, isn't that a indication. t-stat is working?
or you want me to test it to know at what temperature it opens? What to test? If I take that apart do I have to put new o-ring or can reuse the one I have?

[Brian R.]

See post #12. Since it was recently replaced, you can probably reuse the old one. (However, I would play it safe and use a new one)

The bottom hose always gets hot eventually, when your engine is hot. It is an indication that your thermostat opens. It doesn't mean it is working correctly. From what you've posted, your thermostat may not be opening all the way or may be opening too hot.

[jaggudada]

Thanks, also I learnt yesterday, thermostat has another little valve, this valve let's coolant circulate through the engine block when the t-stat is closed. The fact that I see fast temperature rise when I start the car in the morning, may indicate this is not working properly.

Do you know if there is a way to hook up a scan tool and get the real time temperature info? Does the sensor next to sender provide real time information to computer?

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by jaggudada

Thanks, also I learnt yesterday, thermostat has another little valve, this valve let's coolant circulate through the engine block when the t-stat is closed. The fact that I see fast temperature rise when I start the car in the morning, may indicate this is not working properly.

This is the jiggle valve I mentioned in Post #14. It doesn't circulate water to any extent. It is a small hole with an undersized rivet in it. It is not your problem.

Originally Posted by jaggudada

Do you know if there is a way to hook up a scan tool and get the real time temperature info? Does the sensor next to sender provide real time information to computer?

Scan tools with real time monitoring should give you engine temperature. Yes, this sensor provides data to the computer.

[jaggudada]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Scan tools with real time monitoring should give you engine temperature. Yes, this sensor provides data to the computer.

The 2nd temperature sensor next to gauge sender, I believe this goes to computer. It doesn't directly control the radiator fans. This sensor is more for air/fuel mix, idling speed etc, Correct? what exactly it is used for? You don't think that's part of the problem in engine overheating??

I will the scanner so I can read the correct temperature.

[Brian R.]

Yes. It affects the engine operating parameters through the ECM. No, it will not affect engine temperature.

[jaggudada]

Happy to report the problem was resolved after replacing sender with OEM part. Erratic gauge operation makes you skeptical on just about everything. Now the car runs at around 4/10 with no fluctuation.

Thank you Brian for your help.