Hello Scotty, I have a 2019 Toyota Camry SE with 2.5L 4 cylinder engine, 8 speed automatic. 22,500 kms. My vehicle doesn’t give me enough heat during the cold winter months in Ottawa, Ontario. The temperature gauge takes a long time to reach operating temperature. The dealership had a TSB and adjusted the computer to change the amount of cool air that enters the engine compartment. Is the dealership giving me the run around? I did have to add some coolant to my reservoir that was at the full line at the beginning of winter. Do you think there is a leak in the system? Or a faulty thermostat? Thanks
I say, … air is in your cooling system, … it got in there, somehow!
You see, your engine has a very sophisticated, computer controlled, electrically operated, cooling system, and when it somehow runs low on coolant, the only way to refill it fully, is you have to do it following a specific way: … you have to disconnect a cooling line to the EGR cooler, first (that’s a high point of your cooling system): … than you have to keep filling radiator until coolant starts coming out of that disconnected cooling line. When it does, reconnect it. Next, fill the expansion tank to a full mark and start the engine and rev it up beyond 1500 RPM. Hold it there for 3 minutes or so (coolant fan has to cycle on and off at least twice and A/C has to be off through this process). This is a procedure that instructs engine’s computer that you are refilling the system so it will operate valves, thermostats and electric water pump in such a way - and sequence, that all the air is purged out of the system’s passages. Than let it cool down. Refill expansion tank to mid point between low and high marks.
Anyway, … that’s in a nutshell what has to be done. And since your car is, I’m assuming, still under warranty, … just take it to the dealer and tell them that’s what they have to do to fix it correctly. Period.
F.S.
Dealership says nothing is wrong with the cooling system or heater core. Apparently, the cooling system has electric valves that causes the coolant to go to the heater core and diverts the heat away from the engine, and that’s why when it’s really cold, the engine may never reach operating temperature if you are in stop and go traffic.
OK, … there is definitely something wrong with your cooling system - probably calibration or not purged completely. I have the same engine, same year and I’m in Calgary. Recently we had a prolonged cold spell. Minus 38C was lowest and my car kept me toasty just fine!
Anyway, … try this first - it’s part of standard Toyota procedure: …make sure car is cold, take a rad cap off, disconnect small cooling line at the EGR cooler. Coolant should leak from that small cooling line. If it does not, add coolant to radiator until it leaks. Reconnect that small line and tighten the clamp. Next, leave a rad cap off, start the car an immediately raise RPM to over 1500 RPM and keep it steady there. This sets the system into self test and adjustment loop - car’s computer at that point will take over. At that point, just watch radiator filler neck and start adding coolant as it drops, … until it stops dropping. This will take bit more than 3 minutes. And make sure engine RPM is kept over 1500 RPM for at least 3 minutes! Cap the radiator at that point, … shut the car off and let it cool down. Top up the expansion tank to half way between high and low marks in the meantime. Once car cools down, take it for a drive and see the difference. If there is no difference: step two: … insist on Toyota to fix the cooling system for you.! Yes.
There are four (4) electronic - computer controlled - thermostats on your engine. Go to another Toyota dealer for repairs if the first one is not cooperating. This should be covered under warranty! Good luck, …
F.S.
Start with the thermostat, if you can hook up a scanner and read the coolant temp that would tell you if the stat is operational. Doesn’t seem like a major issue but if your unable to diag it on your own your going to have to take it In. You can also feel the heater I let and outlet hoses, if both are hot your heater core is good, if one is hot and the other is cold you have a restriction in the core and it will need to be flushed.
