Heat help

[bak2MN]

My 94 camry is not putting out alot of heat what can I do? I have replaced the thermostat a couple of years ago. Can it be that is the problem or something else.

It is a four cyl with 257,000 miles. If this makes any difference or not.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Make sure the coolant is full.

Check the coolant bypass valve (i think it has one). It will be on the heater hoses near the firewall if it does.

Is the temp gauge needle in the same spot as usual

If a t-stat is stuck open you will feel the upper hose/radiator warm up as the car warms up. They should stay cold until the t-stat opens and then get hot fairly quickly.

The other thing you can do is remove the radiator cap (engine cold) and start it up. You should be able to look into the radiator and see if there is coolant circulating or not.

[bak2MN]

Temp gauge stays the same.

If coolant is not circulating then what?

I will check for the bypass valve and coolant level tonight.

[Jeremy airjer W]

the coolant shouldn't circulate through the radiator until the thermostat opens up. If its not circulating than its probably not an issue with the T-stat being stuck open. Its not overheating so we know the T-stat is opening and we know the water pump is circulating enough to keep the engine cool.

[Phred52]

bak2MN, Has the heater core ever been 'backflushed'? Feel the heater hoses with the engine warm, if they feel about equal in temp? If so, then your core is allowing a flow. If there's a significant difference between the two, then you probably need to get the core back flushed of sediment and rust. Especially at 250K, if you've only put in a thermostat, and not touched anything else, that's where I'd begin the search. Phred52

[bak2MN]

Looked at it a little tonight and I am embarrased to say that it is low on coolant. Where would the coolant go? I have never seen any that leaked out. The wife is taking it in to get a oil change and they will top everything off. Then I will check to see how it heats. I have not had any thing done with the core. Backflushing? How is that done? Is it something I could do myself or need to take it in somewhere? Thanks for the help guys. I sure do like all the helpful input you guys give and dont make a a guy feel stupid. Keep it up. I will keep you posted on what happens.

[jeffreyd]

i think i would just fill the coolant with 50/50 mix or what ever you all use up there. then put a new raditor cap on it, the old one could be not holding pressure. allow engine to heat up and see if you get heat then. if you have not added coolant in a long time, then it might just be normal loss. my dodge truck will use about a quart of coolant in a year. i did replace the cap and it slowed it down. if the cooling system has not been opened up in sense to add coolant etc then corrosion might not be too bad. good luck

[Phred52]

bak2MN, Yes, if it's low on coolant, that easily can be the fault. Regarding the 'back-flushing', You can do that yourself though I'd strongly recommend that you have an experienced person do it and you observe, at least the first time. Sure would hate to see you needing to replace your heater core from using too much pressure , plus there's connecting to or cutting into the wrong hose and just making matters worse. What the job involves is draining the cooling system, removing the thermostat and reversing the normal flow of water through the cooling system. Too much pressure can cause damage to the system, too little can be ineffective. After you add coolant, be sure to monitor your reservoir. It will drop as the air gets worked out of the system. Once it's properly filled, your heater should throw heat again. Phred52

[Jeremy airjer W]

If you just back flushing the heater core than all you need to do is remove the heater hoses at the most convenient location and hook up a garden hose (if you have really good water pressure you might want to be a little careful)

As far as flushing with flush t's I wouldn't bother. We replace more hoses because of broken/leaking flush t's than would have been fine if they where left alone. A coolant flush is still a pretty reasonable service. Back flushing a heater core will usually be an extra charge. When its all done there is no mess for you to clean up as well!

I have yet to run into a Toyota with a plugged heater core so I wouldn't worry about that until all the other scenarios don't pan out.

As far as the coolant leaking I'm putting my money on the upper hose where it attaches to the engine. They are know to seep from that location.

[Phred52]

I agree with airjer, The flushing 'tees' ane NOT the best route for flushing. If ONLY the heater core needs flushing, then either disconnect the hoses on the engine OR on the firewall. (Marking both as to which nipple they came off of). Then use two other hoses to do the backflush and to drain into a large container. Now, I wouldn't go this route except as a last resort. I was under the impression you had already spent some time under the hood checking the system over before you posted. Fill the system as stated earlier, that should get you going. Phred52

[bak2MN]

Thanks again on all the expert advice I haven't had time to do anything yet but have the day off tomarrow so will be checking it out. I'll let you guys know what happens.

[bak2MN]

Well put in some antifreeze and a new cap. Heats nice but found another problem!!!!!!!!!!! There is a 6 inch crack in the top of the radiator. So I took that one out and was going to replace it with the one out of my parts car. And that one is shot as well. so I ordered a new one. Should be in on Tuesday and should be good to go again. Thanks again for all the info guys.

[Phred52]

OUCH!!!

[bak2MN]

Not real bad the new one is $93.00. Could have been worse, I guess.

[bak2MN]

Well just to update you all I put in a new radiator and boy does it put out heat now! Thanks again for all the help.