2001 Toyota Camry Overheat - water pump?

2001 TOYOTA CAMRY

ANDI LIM

MEMBER
2 POSTS
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Engine Performance problem
2001 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Automatic 91000 miles

I had problems with my car temperature. It went up and down (from 50 to 75) when my car was slowing down or idling after haveing driven for a while (45 mins). If there's no traffic or anything, the temperature would stay normal all the time.

I brought my car to a shop, and they couldnt figure out what the problem is. the fans are working, the radioator if full with liquid, etc. They said it could be the thermostat. We changed it. but it got worse. When I started the car, the temp went all the way up (100).

Now my car is staying overnight. they wanted to check the water pump saying that it might have been the problem all along.

my question is, couldnt they have told me this earlier? and if i putback the old thermostat into the engine, would my car go back to like it was before ?

Nov 30, 2008 at 1:30 AM

MHPAUTOS

CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Often it is a matter of doing the simple things first, like a thermostat, pressure test etc, the water pump is a bigger job and as the person paying the bill you would not want the expensive options done first just to see! The other thing is has the radiator been cleaned & flow tested, not just back flushed with a hose, as this dose little or nothing, i would also check that thermostat again s it may be defective.

Start here.

mark (mhpautos)

Nov 30, 2008 at 1:38 AM

ANDI LIM

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for the quick response.

They said it could one of two things. Either, it's the water pump or the radiator is clogged. We both look at the radiator and it's fine. It's clean.

the technician said chances are it could be the water pump.

I guess my real concern is why the temp went up all the way AFTER they put the new thermostat into my car? It went all the way up just when I started the engine. I didnt even drive it. It never did that before, and if I put back the old thermostat, would it go back to where it was before (like, the temp would go up and down only if the car's slowing down)

I'm in process of selling my car to a dealership, I figure if putting back the old thermostats would bring my car condition back to where it was, I'll just bring it to a dealership and sell the car to them as is.

Nov 30, 2008 at 2:01 AM

MHPAUTOS

CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
31,937 POSTS

Hi there ,

Well you can only try, they may not have bleed the cooling system with the new thermostat, so make sure that this is done if the old one is re fitted and make sure that the bleed hole is uppermost.

Mark (mhpautos)

Nov 30, 2008 at 2:55 AM

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