Does anyone know, or where I can find out the normal operating temperature of a 97 2.2L Camry. I think it should be about 205F to 212F. I think that running hotter than normal is 220F to 230F. I have a running hot issue. I used an ODBII reader, to measure the temperature reading while riding around. During the 1st 5 minutes after startup, the temp. is about 205. At sustained highway speeds the temperature will vary from 221 to 226 but only after the car is has been running for at least 10 minutes prior to going on to the highway. If I stop the car and REV it to 3000 RPMs (in parK) the temperature will fall to 219 and eventually to 212. I’ve replaced both the temperature sender (gauge sensor) and the idle temperature ( 2 wires) sensor. The radiator is new. The water pump/ thermostat is 2 years old. The radiator fluid is new. The Camry does act like an overheated car, that is, it does not ping, knock, or not able to accelerate smoothly. When idling, both fans with and without the A/C will come on as it should and it never shows and overheat if I am idling in park

 

What does the temp gauge on the dash indicate and does the needle remain still once the engine has warmed up?

The switch for the fans is on the bottom of the radiator and set to turn the fans on at 199F.

 

Did you use OEM parts? I had more than enough problems with my cooling system. I found that the place I was using to fix it was using after market and that caused the temp switch to move, although the car was not over heating

 

Thanks all, but the car was in an accident and I no longer need to worry about this problem.