Camry Overheating... NOT AGAIN!!!

[reydejuegos]

My gf's dad is about to give me a V6 3.0 1993 Camry w/ about 150,000miles on it.
Only problem is it starts overheating after 10-15 minutes, especially in summer. Now this used to be my gf's high school car so I can guarantee it must have gotten some serious neglect, and I know it's overheated seriously at least twice. I suspect it has the same problem my old 90 T-bird had - a cracked block/seals because air is escaping and bubbling into the radiator/reserve and I'll wager a $20 there's water in the oil too. It cost some money about $750 to repair the T-bird for a while... I think it's the same damn problem.

Is there any way to salvage this car without investing thousands in a new engine?

[augie7071]

Originally Posted by reydejuegos

My gf's dad is about to give me a V6 3.0 1993 Camry w/ about 150,000miles on it.
Only problem is it starts overheating after 10-15 minutes, especially in summer. Now this used to be my gf's high school car so I can guarantee it must have gotten some serious neglect, and I know it's overheated seriously at least twice. I suspect it has the same problem my old 90 T-bird had - a cracked block/seals because air is escaping and bubbling into the radiator/reserve and I'll wager a $20 there's water in the oil too. It cost some money about $750 to repair the T-bird for a while... I think it's the same damn problem.

Is there any way to salvage this car without investing thousands in a new engine?

I have had several Toyota's with bad head gaskets. I would suspect thats the problem. But what a hassel on the V-6. The 4 banger was not a problem.
Bill

[Toysrme]

It's no more complicated. No big deal. Have a compression test done to see if there is a headgasket problem.
Normal compression is 178psi, minimum 142psi, no more than 14psi difference for cylinders on the same bank. (IMHO Anything under 160psi spells problems brewing in the future.)







The block is not going to crack, or warp as it's very strong iron. You've most likely warped an aluminum head from overheating them so much. If it's the head gaskets pay your $50-75 a head to have the heads milled flat.


If compression is OK replace:
Thermostat & BOTH pressure caps. ($10-15. Radiator is 13.5-17.8psi. Water Outlet is 12.1-16.4psi.)
Replace radiator ($60-90. Old anti-freeze breaks down into a sludge, which turns into a gel, plugging it.)
Check coolant pressure
Replace water pump (This is the timing belt service. Cost runs $300-500 depending on what's being done. It's normal to include cam, crank & distributor seals & valve cover gaskets).






If it's the head gaskets, the cost from an honest mechanic will run $1200usd. BE DAMN SURE you have the aluminum blocks checked for warpage. If so-no bigige, you loose the car a few more days & pay your $50-75 a head to have them milled flat from a machine shop.


Cost to DIY on the head gaskets run a few hundred bucks. About $150 for the generic rebuild gasket kit on ebay. $30-50 for a timing belt, $75-100 for a water pump, $25-30 for the accessory belts (Alt-A/C & Powersteering)

Takes about $20 to change the transmission fluid & flush the powersteering system. $5 of anti-freeze, $5-20 in oil + $4 Denso oil filter.
$6 tube of Ultra Black RTV.
$12 for generic NGK / Denso spark plugs
$15 distributor cap & rotor
$60 for two oxygen sensors.
$10 two cans of seafoam.
$5 two cans of engine degreaser/carb cleaner


They're not that bad to bring back into 100% factory condition.