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From: FatterDumber& Happier Moe on 14 Dec 2009 04:53
Ace wrote:
> Turned on my car Camry 99 4cylinder. When it was in park the engine
> was reeving really high but putting it in drive seemed to fix it. I
> took a short trip, when I was headed pack I noticed the temp gauge was
> straight at the top. I immediately stopped and checked the coolant
> tank. Empty with steam coming out of the radiator. I typically only
> check the coolant every once in awhile so I don't know how long it had
> been empty. I filled it with coolent and drove around. The temp gauge
> was fine then shot up again then settled down and stayed that way. I
> lifted the hood again and the compartment was empty again but no leaks
> I could detect from the bottom, just some moisture around the radiator
> pipe at the very front of the car. I refilled it again hoping it would
> stay filled this time. If I can get the coolant level to remain
> steady. I was wondering if it is worth the risk driving it around as
> long as I stop regularly and check the coolant to refill. There
> doesn't seem to be any symptoms yet aside from what I just mentioned.

I don't know why they don't put a warning light along with the temp
gauge but they don't. Who constantly monitors the temp gauge? Anyway
you did one of the things you shouldn't never ever ever ever ought let
happen to an engine with an aluminum head, mainly overheat. The steel
sealing ring on the head gasket is apt to embed into the aluminum and
indent it but it may hold, probably should and will hold if it didn't
get to hot but it's not a good thing to have happened, and it also
messes with the effective torque of the head bolts by pushing the limits
and having to then hold when the engine is started cold. I'd take it
easy when the engine is cold and let it warm up before gunning it to get
on the express way.
Find the source of the anti-freeze loss and keep an eye on the
reservoir. A radiator cap not sealing and holding proper pressure will
lead to loss of coolant over time.
So what to do now? I'd make sure the sealed part of the system is
topped off the radiator cap is sealing properly and drive it and keep an
eye on the reservoir and don't let it run dry. Keep looking for leaks
it's a good habit to look under the car before getting in it and when
you back out (every time) to see what new stuff has dripped from it,
engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, antifreeze, AC
condensate what ever it might be. Hopefully it's just an easy to fix
leak and you will get many more miles down the road.
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