Cooling System

BEN_OLUFSEN

MEMBER
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

My '03 Toyota Camry is overheating and I can't use the air-conditioning anymore though I know I shouldn't use it until this problem is solved. It seems to be losing water and I don't see any leaks. It looks like the water in the radiator is evaporating. Moreover, I hear this gurgling sound like pipes being flushed when I start my engine after having parked for a few minutes.

7 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

If coolant is depleting, there must be a leak somewhere and a pressure test should be able to locate the source.

Where is the gurglng noise coming from, inside the car?

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Sunday, March 20th, 2011 AT 6:32 PM

BEN_OLUFSEN

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7 POSTS

Thanks for a quick response. Okay, a pressure test. Will try that. I can hear the gurgling noise from inside the car when I start it up but it appears to be from inside the engine compartment. Sounds like pipes flushing.

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Sunday, March 20th, 2011 AT 9:44 PM

KHLOW2008

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When air is trapped in cooling system due to leakages, the gurgling noise can occur at the heater core.

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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 1:42 PM

BEN_OLUFSEN

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7 POSTS

Thank You KHLow2008. I found out that there was a hairline crack in the engine jacket inside which the water appears to circulate evidenced on the outside by residual coloring of the coolant mixture, and I used a sealant compound which appears to have held although the temperature seems to still be a little on the high side. How do I bleed the air outta the cooling system?

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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 5:37 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

When engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level. If level is low, then air is present. Top up and run engine with radiator cap off and heater turned to maximum. Top up colant whenever necessary. Turn off engine after 5 minutes. Close radiator cap and run engine until operating temperature and ensure radiator fans comes on. Stop engine and allow to cool before rechecking coolant level. Top up if necessary.
If temperature is still higher than normal, ensure the cooling fans are working correctly and repair if necessary. If fansa are working correctly, have the thermostat checked/replaced if necessary.