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radiator fans wont come on
#11
RE: radiator fans wont come on
ORIGINAL: KEVAUG
I have never replaced the t-stat. Should I?
I have never replaced the t-stat. Should I?
Did you flush out the system to get rid of residual stop leak when you replaced the rad?
#12
RE: radiator fans wont come on
Yes - the stop leak should have been flushed. I did change the T-stat today but it did not help. If I leave the fans on and drive with the hood safety latched (not closed) it doesnt overheat. But today I did hear a high pitched squeal
when I initially started driving. I'm assuming that may be my bearings in the water pump.
I have never done a water pump and it seems it would be too tough of a job for me.
There are no leaks anywhere but I cant think of what else it could be. I'm asuming the pump is bad so it is not circulating the hot engine coolant back to the radiator to be cooled. I would assume I should have the timing belt replaced as well since that is attached to thewater pump. Toyota was actually the 2nd cheapest at $534, Firestone quoted me $500. Is this a hard job for a novice?
Thanks for all the advice and help.
when I initially started driving. I'm assuming that may be my bearings in the water pump.
I have never done a water pump and it seems it would be too tough of a job for me.
There are no leaks anywhere but I cant think of what else it could be. I'm asuming the pump is bad so it is not circulating the hot engine coolant back to the radiator to be cooled. I would assume I should have the timing belt replaced as well since that is attached to thewater pump. Toyota was actually the 2nd cheapest at $534, Firestone quoted me $500. Is this a hard job for a novice?
Thanks for all the advice and help.
#13
RE: radiator fans wont come on
ORIGINAL: KEVAUG
Toyota was actually the 2nd cheapest at $534, Firestone quoted me $500.
Toyota was actually the 2nd cheapest at $534, Firestone quoted me $500.
Is this a hard job for a novice?
#14
RE: radiator fans wont come on
So - I brought the car to Toyota. They said it wasnt the water pump.
They said my radiator cap had a bad seal and needed to be replaced because it wasnt holding pressure.
Then they flushed it. Why? I dont know I told them I had flushed it.
Then they changed my brand new T-stat that I just put in. Why? I dont know, I told them I had just put a new one in (not an OEM but who cares it cant be that far off from Toyota spec) - they said it wasnt opening at the correct temp.
So $177 later my car still overheats - NICE.
They noted on my invoice that there is a flow problem and the radiator should be replaced. I did not tell them it was replaced in 2004 since I picked up the car after service was closed.
They also said the temp sender for the gauge on dash needs to be replaced. I dont
see why when it indicates overheating I can hear the coolant boiling away. Seems to be working as far as I can see and an ohmmeter check indicated it was good when I tested it.
Back to the shop tomorrow I guess. I'll keep everyone up to date.
Thanks
Kev
They said my radiator cap had a bad seal and needed to be replaced because it wasnt holding pressure.
Then they flushed it. Why? I dont know I told them I had flushed it.
Then they changed my brand new T-stat that I just put in. Why? I dont know, I told them I had just put a new one in (not an OEM but who cares it cant be that far off from Toyota spec) - they said it wasnt opening at the correct temp.
So $177 later my car still overheats - NICE.
They noted on my invoice that there is a flow problem and the radiator should be replaced. I did not tell them it was replaced in 2004 since I picked up the car after service was closed.
They also said the temp sender for the gauge on dash needs to be replaced. I dont
see why when it indicates overheating I can hear the coolant boiling away. Seems to be working as far as I can see and an ohmmeter check indicated it was good when I tested it.
Back to the shop tomorrow I guess. I'll keep everyone up to date.
Thanks
Kev
#15
RE: radiator fans wont come on
ORIGINAL: KEVAUG
So - I brought the car to Toyota. They said it wasnt the water pump.
They said my radiator cap had a bad seal and needed to be replaced because it wasnt holding pressure.
So - I brought the car to Toyota. They said it wasnt the water pump.
They said my radiator cap had a bad seal and needed to be replaced because it wasnt holding pressure.
Then they flushed it. Why?
Then they changed my brand new T-stat that I just put in. Why? I dont know, I told them I had just put a new one in (not an OEM but who cares it cant be that far off from Toyota spec) - they said it wasnt opening at the correct temp.
So $177 later my car still overheats - NICE.
They noted on my invoice that there is a flow problem and the radiator should be replaced.
They noted on my invoice that there is a flow problem and the radiator should be replaced.
I'm still not sure about the rad and that the residual stop leak mightstill be theproblem or that the rad is just a cheap unit. If there is reduced flow in the rad that may explain why the fans are not turning on. The longer the coolant stays in the rad, with air flow, the cooler it gets.Find out how much to replace the rad and ask the service manager if that doesn't fix the over heat and it does turnout to be the WP will theycredit you for this work done. Your otherlower cost option is to replace the rad yourself and seeif that works. If not then the only thing left is the WP. I would then think about small claims for this work done if the dealer does not refund at least part of your money. These Toyo techs are supposed to be better than corner store mechanics and they should know what they are doing. Keep all of your receipts and get everything in writing.
They also said the temp sender for the gauge on dash needs to be replaced. I dont
see why when it indicates overheating I can hear the coolant boiling away. Seems to be working as far as I can see and an ohmmeter check indicated it was good when I tested it.
see why when it indicates overheating I can hear the coolant boiling away. Seems to be working as far as I can see and an ohmmeter check indicated it was good when I tested it.
Good luck.
#18
RE: radiator fans wont come on
So I brought the car back today at noon. I told them all of this we have discussed and they agreed to change the water pump since the radiator is only 3 years old.
He did give me a good deal $397 vs. the $534 originally quoted to make up for the $177
already spent and that includes a new TB.
However they did just call back and said they were able to look and feel into the throat
of the WP upon disassembly and felt all impeller fins were good and tight to the shaft.
They asked if they could go on their original diagnosis of changing the radiator out.
I told them to go ahead - he said he wouldnt charge me for the disassembly of the WP and it would still be cheaper than doing the water pump.
I did ask to make sure they did a gas test on the coolant and no CO was found.
So they are sure it is not a head gasket.
I'll let you know what happens if its finished tonight.
Thanks again for all the great comments and advice.
He did give me a good deal $397 vs. the $534 originally quoted to make up for the $177
already spent and that includes a new TB.
However they did just call back and said they were able to look and feel into the throat
of the WP upon disassembly and felt all impeller fins were good and tight to the shaft.
They asked if they could go on their original diagnosis of changing the radiator out.
I told them to go ahead - he said he wouldnt charge me for the disassembly of the WP and it would still be cheaper than doing the water pump.
I did ask to make sure they did a gas test on the coolant and no CO was found.
So they are sure it is not a head gasket.
I'll let you know what happens if its finished tonight.
Thanks again for all the great comments and advice.
#19
RE: radiator fans wont come on
So I picked up my Camry last night after Toyota replaced the radiator and the car seems
to be running fine now. I will drive it a good distance today to make sure its all set. It didnt overheat last night and it should have based on time & distance.
It cost me another $350 but I think they did try their best. Just wished they would have
test drove better to determine the radiator was blocked the first time and not the cap causing the problem.
So either some stop leak that was left over finally let go after 3 1/2 years or my "new" radiator was a piece of junk to begin with. I always thought with these new aluminum radiators it was tough to plug them up. In the end it appears I should have never used
the stop leak - at this point I dont see its useful purpose if youre going to keep an old car running.
Thanks for listening and helping out - hopefully this will help someone along the way to 242,000 miles!
to be running fine now. I will drive it a good distance today to make sure its all set. It didnt overheat last night and it should have based on time & distance.
It cost me another $350 but I think they did try their best. Just wished they would have
test drove better to determine the radiator was blocked the first time and not the cap causing the problem.
So either some stop leak that was left over finally let go after 3 1/2 years or my "new" radiator was a piece of junk to begin with. I always thought with these new aluminum radiators it was tough to plug them up. In the end it appears I should have never used
the stop leak - at this point I dont see its useful purpose if youre going to keep an old car running.
Thanks for listening and helping out - hopefully this will help someone along the way to 242,000 miles!
#20
RE: radiator fans wont come on
ORIGINAL: KEVAUG
It cost me another $350 but I think they did try their best.
It cost me another $350 but I think they did try their best.
Stop leak is ONLYfor getting you home in an emergency when there is no choice,it's not for long term replacement of required maintenence.