My engine is overheating please help me?

Hello my name is Dave.

Considering your symptoms I feel we should start by checking for a blown head gasket.

Here is a link to our tutorial on testing for a bad head gasket:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

I would advise you to use the block leak tester as shown in the video because while the other symptoms mentioned in the video are indicators of a failed head gasket they are not always present. Your local parts store should have the block leak tester as a loaner tool and all you'll have to actually pay for is the chemical.

If you do find that the head gasket has failed and you decide to try the Blue Devil mentioned in the tutorial make sure you follow the directions carefully, the main thing to remember is to pour it in very slowly due to the fact that if you have a failed head gasket some coolant is getting into the exhaust and therefore the Blue Devil will get into the exhaust and if you pour it in to quickly it can clog the catalytic converter.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if the head gasket has failed the vast majority of the time it is caused by overheating so make sure to track down that issue once you have resolved the head gasket issue.

If you can follow the steps in our tutorial and let us know the results we will be more than happy to help you track down the cause(s) of your issue; we look forward to hearing back from you and thank you for using 2CarPros!

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

That is a good question. You can check the head gasket without replacing anything or even starting the vehicle. What you need to do is simple do a compression check. If you find one or more of the cylinders is low, more than a ten percent difference, it could be a head gasket. As far as coolant mixing with oil, usually it is a creamy tan color and not white. If you could upload pictures, I could better tell.

As far as the compression test, here is a link that explains how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Here are the specific directions and specifications for your vehicle:

2002 Toyota Camry LE Sedan L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)
Vehicle  Engine, Cooling and Exhaust  Engine  Compression Check  Testing and Inspection
TESTING AND INSPECTION
INSPECT COMPRESSION
Warm up and stop engine.
Disconnect the injector connectors.
Remove ignition coils.
Remove spark plugs.
Inspect cylinder compression pressure.
1) Insert a compression gauge into the spark plug hole.
2) Fully open the throttle.
3) While cranking the engine, measure the compression pressure.
Compression pressure: 1.360 MPa (13.9 kgf/cm2, 198 psi)
Minimum pressure: 0.98 MPa (10 kgf/cm2, 142 psi)
Difference between each cylinder: 100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm2, 14 psi)
NOTICE:
Always use a fully charged battery to obtain engine speed of 250 rpm or more .
Check other cylinder's compression pressure in the same way.
This measurement must be done in as short a time as possible.
4) If the cylinder compression is low, pour a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and inspect again.
HINT:
If adding oil increases the compression, it is likely that the piston rings and/or cylinder bore are worn or damaged.
If pressure stays low, a valve may be sticking or seating improperly, or there may be leakage past the gasket.

__________________________________________

Do this and let me know the results.

Take care,
Joe

Hi again. I am here to help if you want to give it a try. As far as the pictures, it does not look like oil has contaminated the system. Either that is corrosion from age or someone put a stop leak in the system at some point.

I would recommend flushing the system (engine) and replacing both the radiator and thermostat. If any of the hoses are bad or look cracked or swollen, replace them at this time.

Here are directions for replacing the thermostat and radiator for your vehicle. As far as flushing the block, any parts store will sell cooling system flush products. Just follow the directions on the product.

______________________________________________

CONVERSION CALCULATOR

2002 Toyota Camry SE Sedan L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)
Vehicle  Engine, Cooling and Exhaust  Cooling System  Radiator  Service and Repair
SERVICE AND REPAIR
Removal & Installation and Disassembly & Reassembly
DRAIN COOLANT
DISCONNECT RADIATOR HOSE INLET
DISCONNECT RADIATOR HOSE OUTLET
DISCONNECT OIL COOLER INLET HOSE (A/T TRANSAXLE)
DISCONNECT OIL COOLER OUTLET HOSE (A/T TRANSAXLE)
REMOVE AIR CLEANER INLET ASSEMBLY
Remove the 2 bolts and the air cleaner inlet.
REMOVE RADIATOR SUPPORT UPPER
Disconnect the 2 horn connector.
Remove the hood lock release lever cover.
Remove the bolt shown in the illustration.
Remove the 4 bolts and radiator support upper.
REMOVE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Disconnect the fan motor connector.
Remove the radiator w/ fan.
REMOVE RADIATOR SUPPORT CUSHION
REMOVE RADIATOR SUPPORT LOWER
REMOVE FAN ASSEMBLY, W/ MOTOR
INSTALL FAN ASSEMBLY, W/ MOTOR
Install the fan assembly w/ motor to the radiator. Torque: 5.0 Nm (51 kgf-cm, 44 inch lbs.)
INSTALL RADIATOR SUPPORT UPPER
Install the radiator support upper with the 4 bolts. Torque: 14 Nm (142 kgf-cm, 10 ft. Lbs.)
ADJUST HOOD SUB-ASSEMBLY
ADD COOLANT
CHECK ENGINE COOLANT LEAK

________________________________________________________

For thermostat replacement, here are the directions. Keep in mind, the thermostat needs removed to properly flush the engine block. The last two pictures correlate with thermostat replacement.

2002 Toyota Camry SE Sedan L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)
Vehicle  Engine, Cooling and Exhaust  Cooling System  Thermostat  Service and Repair
SERVICE AND REPAIR
REPLACEMENT
DRAIN COOLANT
REMOVE WATER INLET
Remove 2 nuts, and disconnect the water inlet from the cylinder block.
REMOVE THERMOSTAT
INSTALL THERMOSTAT
Install a new gasket to the thermostat.
Install the thermostat with the jiggle valve upward.
HINT: The jiggle valve may be set within 10° on either side of the prescribed position.
INSTALL WATER INLET
Install the water inlet with 2 nuts. Torque: 9 Nm (92 kgf-cm, 80 inch lbs.)
ADD COOLANT
INSPECT CHECK ENGINE COOLANT LEAK
__________________________________________

A thermostat is very inexpensive, so I recommend just replacing it. Also, I am suggesting these repairs based on the idea that the engine still starts and runs. If you worry about engine damage, please refer to my original post. Also, if you start the engine to see if it runs, do not run it longer than a few seconds since there is no coolant in it.

Let me know if you need help or more information.

Take care,
Joe

That don't sound good. The head or head gasket may be bad and allowing the cylinders to allow combusted air into the cooling system.

I think I would pull the plugs and look for sign of coolant burning. While they are out, crank the motor over and have someone hold a piece of white paper over the cyls so you can identify any coolant.

Good morning,

The first thing I would do is change the thermostat. It may be stuck closed not allowing circulation.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Did you verify the coolant level?

Does the coolant leak?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Roy

REMOVAL

HINT: Removal of the thermostat would have an adverse effect, causing a lowering of cooling efficiency. Do not remove the thermostat, even if the engine tends to overheat.

1. DRAIN ENGINE COOLANT
2. w/ Oil Cooler: REMOVE OIL FILTER

imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

3. REMOVE WATER INLET AND THERMOSTAT
a. Remove the 2 nuts, and disconnect the water inlet from the water pump cover.
b. Remove the thermostat.
c. Remove the gasket from the thermostat.

If the engine is not overheating at highway speeds and seems to be limited to a problem when in stop and go traffic or idling, then it does sound like the fan is the problem. Some things to check would include the cooling fan relay, which is located in the power distribution box under the hood, and the coolant temperature sensor.

When does the overheating occurs?
Have you checked if there are still air trapped in system?
How high is the temperature gauge showing when you mean overheating?
Does the reading lowers when A/C is turned on?

The fans are good if they come on when the A/Cond is turned on. What you need to check would be the relays and controls such as the temperature switch that turns on the relays when the operating temperature is reached.
Toyota utilises a few relays for the fan controls and if one is bad, it would affect the system. This is shown by the fan running when you fiddle with the relay. Presently I am not able to access our database for the wiring circuit so this is not going to be easy for me to explain as I am not sure of the actual system used for your vehicle. Toyota has a few different system for different models and year There should be 3 relays for the fans, 1 for each fan and the third for controlling both

When the temperature gauge shows high, check and confirm if the upper and lower hoses at radiator are almost equal in temperature. Be careful when working on a hot engine.

"Problem solved" This is what we always love to hear.

The cooling fans run on current and the connectors do get hot and causes connection issues over time if they are loose. Ensure the connections at the fuse box are clean and tight to reduce the heating and prolong the lifespan of the fuse-box.

Have a great day.

Hi bryanlewis10, Welcome to 2carpros

When you pulled in the driveway and shut it off-do you hear bubbling/boiling type of noises-Try this replace the thermostat and get back as soon as possible, we move from here.

It depends on your weather- for me if its 0 below I use 70% antifreeze and 30% water above that temp 50/50 mix

Put it in the radiator and 1/2 in the reservoir bottle.

So what's with the overheating situation?