OEM 2001 Toyota Camry Radiator

2001 Toyota Camry Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service and repair the radiator on 2001 Toyota Camry?

  A: Service and repair of the radiator starts with draining engine coolant from the system. You must take down the radiator assembly once you disconnect the No.1 and No.2 electric cooling fan connectors and the ECT switch connector for the electric cooling fan combined with the upper and lower radiator hoses and the radiator reservoir hose and the 2 oil cooler hoses from the oil cooler pipes for automatic transmission models. First loosen up two bolts while unscrewing two upper radiator supports before extracting the radiator assembly together with the two lower radiator supports. The procedure starts by disconnecting the ECT switch connector from the No.1 electric cooling fan while also removing the wire clamp before finally taking out the electric cooling fan using its 2 bolts. You can easily uninstall the No.2 electric cooling fan by using its 2 bolts. The ECT switch together with O-rings must be removed first before removing the drain plug and its O-rings. The Special Service Tool 09230-01010 requires claw fixation onto the overhaul handle where the stopper bolt needs adjustment to establish 0.2 - 0.3 mm (0.008 - 0.012 inch) dimension. The special tool caulked the lock plates and after that the tanks and O-rings were detached from the radiator bracket with light taps. Automatic transmission models require detachment of the oil cooler by unscrewing the nut followed by removing both nuts and plate washers and separating the oil cooler together with two O-rings. The reassembly process should begin with installation of fresh O-rings onto the oil cooler before securely mounting it to the lower tank using 2 plate washers and nuts that need to be tightened to 8.3 Nm (85 kgf-cm, 74 inch lbs.) torque followed by installation of the cooler pipe at a torque of 14.7 Nm (150 kgf-cm, 11 ft. lbs.). Comment on the condition of the lock plate because deformations might hinder assembly. New O-rings and tanks should be installed without allowing any foreign materials into the lock plate groove followed by soft-faced hammer tapping to close gaps. Follow the instructions of Special Service Tools 09230-01010 and 09231-14010 to adjust the stopper bolt into a 8.4 mm (0.331 inch) dimension. Work on the lock plate with the tool until the dimension is confirmed at 7.40 - 7.80 mm (0.2913 - 0.3071 inch). The procedure requires new O-rings for ECT switch and switch device and also new O-rings for drain plug and drain plug. The inspection for water leaks involves using Special Service Tool: 09230-01010 to plug both inlet and outlet pipes before applying 177 kPa (1.8 kgf/cm2, 26 psi) test pressure through a radiator cap tester while submerging the radiator into water. The installation requires fastening the No.1 electric cooling fan to the radiator with 2 bolts and connecting both the ECT switch and wire clamp then torquing them to 5.0 Nm (50 kgf-cm, 44 inch lbs.). Repetitive steps also apply to the No.2 electric cooling fan. The installation process requires attachment of lower radiator hose together with 2 oil cooler hoses for automatic transmission vehicles followed by securing 2 lower radiator supports and 2 upper radiator supports with bolts tightened at 12.8 Nm (130 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.). Secure connections between upper and lower radiator hoses as well as the radiator reservoir hose and the 2 oil cooler hoses to the oil cooler pipes then install electric cooling fan connectors along with the ECT switch connector. To complete the procedure add engine coolant and start the engine while checking for leaks of coolant.