1995 Camry Vienta overheating on freeway

[patrickburgess]

Hi all,

For a few months now I have been having some trouble with my 1995 Camry Vienta Grande overheating once I drive on the freeway for over around half an hour. This doesnt seem to ever happen under regular city driving conditions.

I had a cracked radiator about a year ago and replaced it with a reconditioned one.

Thermostat stuck? Buy another radiator? I'm completely lost.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Pat.

[FRM05A]

Hey Pat,

Assuming you are driving a fair bit in the city as well so the engine is warm.

Sounds like your problem may be the thermostat. get it checked out.

Rob

[Guest]

Hey Pat,

Assuming you are driving a fair bit in the city as well so the engine is warm.

Sounds like your problem may be the thermostat. get it checked out.

Rob

x2.

Start with the thermostat, should be no more than $20 for one and a gasket.

Install it and do a flush, if that does not work then look elsewhere (radiator, fans, BHG, etc)

[trentmeyer23]

I'm gunna somewhat disagree with the others here, i think water pump. As if a thermostat was the problem it would be a problem in the city not allowing water to travel through the radiator for the thermo fans to do their job. There is a possibility of a blocked radiator too. Its had to tell with minimal information though.

[patrickburgess]

Thanks everyone.

It seems that there is some sort of restriction of flow as it only overheats under high pressure, is it possible for a thermostat to be stuck somewhere between open and closed? Maybe not fully opening? Alternately a blockage in the radiator makes sense, although the one thats in there is relatively new so I thought that would be unlikely.

I think I'm going to try a thermostat first as its the cheapest option, and if that doesnt work I'll move on to buying another reconditioned radiator (they're only around $120 from the local wrecker).

Thanks again for everyones help and I'll keep you updated on my progress.

[trentmeyer23]

The thermostat being stuck open could potentially cause the overheating, by the fact that the coolant would not stay in the radiator long enough for heat dispersion to take effect.

[dirty hands]

with the air con on do both of the

thermo fans run

[FRM05A]

why are you buying reconditioned radiator? you can get a brand new aftermarket radiator for around the same price...

[patrickburgess]

why are you buying reconditioned radiator? you can get a brand new aftermarket radiator for around the same price...

I was unaware of this.. Where would I get one of these from?

[patrickburgess]

Please note the 'Newbie' status,

Essentially I have no idea what I'm doing, though I'd like to learn.