2000 Toyota Camry Logo
Posted on Jan 18, 2009
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Coolant system I noticed temp guage kept going from hot to cold while i was driving. I checked the coolant and it was pretty much empty.I added peak performane antifreeze/coolant. Everything was fine for a day but then the the next day it started doing it again. I never added water to the peak performance, wasnt sure if i suppose to.so i then added water to it drove it around for a while and its stilling reading from hot to cold. Am I suppose to flush the system now and add all over again and if so how do I do this,and were is the drain plug for this veh.

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  • Toyota Master 1,861 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 24, 2009
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If your coolant level is dropping, I would suggest that you take a good look at the water pump. That is a very common coolant leakage probelm area on your vehicle. I change 2-3 a week.
Hope this helps.

Mike Butler

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  • Toyota Master 6,674 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 18, 2009
Mike Butler
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First thing I guess I better ask is how much water did you add,vs antifreeze? If your adding to coolant return bottle, and it's already used the antifreeze, and bottle is full of straight water, in a cold area, bottle could freeze. If it's already entered in to rad & cooling system, then it's probably mixed in already & a simple antifreeze tester ($5-$10) from autoparts store, or hardware store will give you your mixture strength. Now, you may end up changing your thermostat, but lets check a few things out first. Do this with engine cool or cold. Take rad cap off, observe level in rad and add coolant at least 50/50 for now, to top it up about an inch or 2 from top of rad, if necessary. Now, Start car, turn heater on (not defrost) and let engine run while you observe level in rad & temperature gauge from time to time. If level goes down, add as needed. As engine warms up to normal operating temperature, observe rad fan and make sure it comes on, before engine runs in to hot zone on gauge. Let it run until rad fan comes on & off 2 or 3 times, while you keep an eye on coolant level & temp gauge. After 3rd time fan on & off, coolant level up to inch or so from top, put your rad cap back on, and now fill your return bottle to proper level with coolant mix. Try that & see what happens & if it overheats, get back to us, if not "happy motoring", and get that coolant strength tested, as well as keep an eye on return bottle level. If it keeps going down and you have to add frequently, then you need to have it tested for a leak in the system.

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  • Expert 90 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 18, 2009
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If you had to add that much coolant, you have a serious leak somewhere! Find and fix leak! Probably got air in cooling system. Sensors only read when submurged in fluid.If antifreeze/coolant did NOT say 50/50% and/or ready to add and/or premix then yes you can dilute it up to 50% with clean water. Hope this helps! Rate me please.

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