I'll get straight to the point.

Specs: 1992 TOY CAM XLE, V6 80k miles
Problem: Temp needle rises completely past the red mark after 10 min. of driving (especially on highway). I open the hood up, coolant reservior empty HOT steam coming out the reservoir tube. The reservoir cap actually pops open from all the pressure.
Maintenance Done: New water pump, new radiator, new timing belt, thermostat removed
How it started: Driving to beach 2 months ago noticed the needle rising. It's usually a hairline below half. 3 days later, take it to some radiator specialist, he says thermostat could be removed so coolant could directly go to engine, he told me just put it back before winter or I wouldn't have any heat. He took the therm out, but showed me what he "cut" off. The spring had been removed from the thermostat, but left behind the pyramid-looking "housing" with the gasket. WHY? He said because the hose needed that for the gasket to fit on... whatever, ok.

Car good for 1 day, overheating again. Needle rises. I go get a waterpump put in along with a new timing belt. 1 day later, overheating again. on the highway...

I go back for a new radiator, car good for 3 whole days under 97 degree weather with AC at full blast. Then starts rising after that the next day again. WTF? Ok xxsicpuppyxx, RELAX. Oh, by the way, hi to everyone here, you all are so nice and helpful here in the forums. :)

This time after I had the radiator put in, I look at the coolant reservoir, it's full of coolant gushing out... let the car cool, open the radiator, completly empty. Kept driving for about 10 miles, let the car cool, kept filling the reservoir with water, completly empty. It seems that it's spitting it out through the reservoir, no other leakes are seen.

The Questions: Is there some sort of clogged hose or loose hose the mechanic forgot to tighten?? What's with the reservoir filling up with coolant and gushing out?? Should I put in a new thermostat, even though everyone says it doesnt need to be there?? But if it wasnt necessary, I'm sure TOYOTA would've not put it there in the first place, duh.

And the one thing I'm afraid of is, could I have blown the head gasket from forcing the engine all those times I was driving with the needle high?? What are the signs of a blown head gasket, and how much is it to repair?? I'm going nuts, IM NOT GIVING up on my Camry, I have about a guzzilion more miles to put in that engine, I know she'll make it. Can anyone help?? Donations are welcomed :D

I wrote that much??... :/

You are right. Toyota (as well as other manufacturers) would not waist resources to putting a thermostat just to stuck consumers with the higher price. Thermostat helps cars warm up faster. Keeps engine in the correct temperature range improves drivability, saves gasoline.
Now back to your problem. It sounds like you have blown the head gasket. The cyllinder compression test will show it right away. You need special tools for this. The easy test that I know off is to look at your exhaust pipe. Do you have a lot of white smoke coming out of it? With the blown gasket the antifreeze gets burnt in the engine. The other test is to look into your oil. It should be contaminated with antifireeze.
Good luck,

Sam

Aslong as there is no localized heating of the aluminum head - it won't warp. If it doesn't warp, you can actually keep the headgasket in it. When a headgasket blows, it's fairly obvious. You get white water vapor pouring out of the exhaust. Coolant can mix with the oil (a combination of it running into the oil passag,e and blowing by the rings), but that is not always the case. (If your oil is milky then yes... You've blown a head gasket).

A compression / leakdown test will show a blown headgasket.




Other things to consider would be:

a gelled radiator - which is extremely common in that most people don't change the coolant very often. (as in every other year)
fauly radiator, and/or intake manifold pressure caps
incorrectly advanced ignition/cam timing
radiator fan is not working - the fan is hydraulic, powered by the powersteering pump. Many times the connector on the P/S pump becomes loose, or a mechanic pulls it off needlessly during a belt change.
The simple diagnosis for this is to cran the engine & short OP1 & E1 in the diagnostics port (DLC1) in the passanger, back corner of the engine bay. The fan should go from bearly moving to "hurricane" speed.

IT CAN DO IT!! I KNOW IT CAN!
Had a 92 v6XLE when I was younger, from age 12-16/17. It overheated, blew the head gasket, dad traded it in :( ... I loved that car, and I too wanted to take it to a million miles. This forum is reminding me of my childhood (Which wasn't too long ago)

Had similar issues like what you are saying, and more. Take the advice given by these other guys, a blown head gasket is fairly easy to spot.

I'm rootin for ya!

P.S. Sorry I didn't mention stuff about the thermostat the first tim around, hearing about the car got me too excited.
You definately want to put that back in. Though the car doesn't absolutely need it, it's a definite want. That spring you are talking about sounds like the safety mechanism on it. Normal thermostats fail in the closed position (don't let coolant through). Toyota (and i'm sure some others) use thermostats that have that spring in there to make sure that if the thermostat fails, it fails open, meaning it will always let coolant through. This is bad because it shouldn't be open when the car first turns on (so it can heat up faster) and bad in winter because driving at anything over 10 mph will cool off your engine (hence the warning from the mechanic). Though that's not good, it's much much much much much better than it being closed and engine overheating. but you don't have a "too cold" problem, so i'm confused why the thermostat was messed with?

PPS. PArts for a head gasket replacement won't be much, just the gaskets. If i remember that engine right, one bank points almost straight up, and the other is a little buried facing the rear of the car. Really, it shouldn't take more than a few hours for a mechanic to be able to get to both (with the first one taking no more than 45-1hour). Labor is expensive...And you will need an oil change, and a coolant flush maybe(cross contamination)? Expect about 1/2 K, but i'd take one of these other guys' opinions over mine.

I've checked the oil, looks normal. But there might be a chance that I have white smoke coming out from the exhaust. I'm still going to put the thermostat back in, and have the radiator double-checked along with all the hoses. And if still overheats, I'm pretty sure the head gasket went...

Can anyone tell me appx. how much it costs from parts to labor to fix the head gasket??

And about the whining noise, I've been def trying to get the transmission flushed, but never thought of the differential, thanks guys...

I'll keep everyone posted on what the outcome is/was...

I'll keep everyone posted on what the outcome is/was...


This is one thread I actually wanted updates on. what happened?

This is one thread I actually wanted updates on. what happened?

3 weeks went by having my car sit in my jobs' lot, and finally had it towed a couple of hours ago. I'm having the radiator double-checked, and thermostat put in on Thursday. I'll drive it around a bit, see if any changes occured, if still overheats, taking it for a diagnostics. Other than that, nothing new. Will get back on Friday...

There is a small thermostatic switch that screws into the bottom of your radiator that operates the solenoid valve to send PS fluid to the fan. Check both the switch and the valve for proper operation.

3 weeks went by having my car sit in my jobs' lot, and finally had it towed a couple of hours ago. I'm having the radiator double-checked, and thermostat put in on Thursday. I'll drive it around a bit, see if any changes occured, if still overheats, taking it for a diagnostics. Other than that, nothing new. Will get back on Friday...

Are you seeing lots of white smoke out the exhaust when you start her up in the morning? Pay particular attention to that.

Go to a decent auto parts store like Napa or Carquest and get yourself a block tester kit. Autozone may even lend you one. It's a test tube thingy you stick on your coolant reservoir and poor a test liquid into and suck up the gases from your coolant into. If it turns yellow, you have exhaust gases in the coolant and a blown head gasket. I've used it several times and it is a pretty reliable test. If that tests positive, then the next test should be a leakdown test on each cylinder to see where the gasket is blown. That will save you from having to pull both heads.

Take note: the more you drive it like this, the more damage you can do. The mixture of exhaust gases and coolant around the damaged head gasket area can eat into your steel block and pit it, basically destroying the block mating surface. As well, the exhaust gases mixed in with your coolant will make it acidic and start corroding your whole cooling system. If your gasket is blown, it's actually a good idea to replace the radiator, water pump, hoses and thermostat anyways because of this. Replace the timing belt and tensioner too since the head is off.

Dave Mc

Are you seeing lots of white smoke out the exhaust when you start her up in the morning? Pay particular attention to that.
Dave Mc

Wait a minute, i get white smoke from my car for about 10 seconds when i start it after its been sitting for 8 hours or so. Does that mean I might have a coolant/oil leak too?!

Ok, i'm back. Took the car to three (3) mechanics. I have a blown head gasket. They estimated around $800-$1200 to repair. They told me they would have NO problem fixing it BUT that I would be in better luck getting a new engine put in. So... anyone interested in purchasing a really nice car?? I dont just want to give it to anyone... I suggested here, in the Toyo forums with real Toyo fans. I've got pics, asking $1500 obo. Car is in excellent condition. For more info, reply here, i'm in the NJ and would tow up to 100 miles :grinyes: from my location. Thank you...

...and another one bites the dust

Wow you have done so many things:

Maintenance Done: New water pump, new radiator, new timing belt, thermostat removed

If I were you I would stick to it and try to find a cheap place to repair it.

They estimated around $800-$1200 to repair. Thank you...
The dealer estimated head gasket for $700. The mechanic across the street - $900. I gave it naturaly to the dealer. Ended up paying TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED!!!. When I said "no" to the final estimated they told me: "THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN APART". What could I do?
If you can, make sure the people you are dealing with are honest!
Good luck!

Sam

I'm going to shoot myself now...

I'm going to shoot myself now...

... but before I do, I'm going to put in the thermostat that's been missing. Might fix anything?? I'll pray on a miracle. Anyone think this will result in anything?

I wouldn't get my hopes up.
it's like kicking a dead horse, and praying.

like i said before...another one bites the dust, and it makes me almost as sad as it makes you

... but before I do, I'm going to put in the thermostat that's been missing. Might fix anything?? I'll pray on a miracle. Anyone think this will result in anything?

I feel sorry for your car. Basically your car is shot. Once the engine overheated, a lot of problems will surface down the road, especially for an old engine. Doesn't matter how good the body is. If you ask for $1500, the buyer will need to spend another $1500 to fix it, if not fixable, $3000 for a new engine. It's trouble. I doubt anyone will be interested. For me, no offense, even if you ask for $150, I will have to think about it.

I feel your best bet is the junk yards. Ask around to see who pays highest. I would say you are lucky if anyone is willing to pay more than $100. I know it's hard, but, there is nothing you can do anymore. And if you don't drive the car and let it sits there, soon more problems will come out -- rust, brake, suspension, etc. And you finally will need a tow truck to remove it.

Good luck and hope someone here will be interested to take this hot potato from you. Remember, the earlier you get it to someone else with some money, the better, or, you will have to spend money(not if you are an AAA member) to tow it away .

Hello,

One of my friends told me that you might have a car for sale. Are you still selling it? I might be interested in buying it. Thanks.