Hello Gurus in the house, I'm sure everyone's having a pleasurable weekend.

I have been using my Toyota Camry 2000 Model for exactly a year now. Initially when I bought the car I thought of replacing the original 'SINGLE CELL' Radiator that came with the the car with the much bigger 'DOUBLE CELL' because I thought that would be best practice. However I was advised against doing so by my mechanic in warri who said it wasn't necessary just yet. Uncomfortable as I was I decided to go with his advice.

Yesterday, I did a trip from Warri to Lagos. I went through Abeokuta and entered Lagos via Sango-Ota bypassing Kilometre 44 Traffic due to REDEEM Church activities. All the while the radiator indicator didn't go above the half way mark(AC) was on for the majority of the journey.

This morning while carrying out routine checks, I observed that there was very little water inside the radiator and I find this alarming no doubt.

Now my question to the Gurus in the house; is it that I need to change the radiator to the double cell or was it as a result of my using the AC. (Yesterday was Very HOT). I need answers since I'm heading back to warri come tuesday and I really don't want to wreck my engine?

NB: I drive to places like Benin, Yenagoa often but this has never happened before.

Any Ideas/solutions people

Would suggest you follow https://www.nairaland.com/529095/car-consuming-water-rapid-rate something similar has been treated.

AutosBay:
Would suggest you follow https://www.nairaland.com/529095/car-consuming-water-rapid-rate something similar has been treated.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate!

starlingbawa:
Hello Gurus in the house, I'm sure everyone's having a pleasurable weekend.

I have been using my Toyota Camry 2000 Model for exactly a year now. Initially when I bought the car I thought of replacing the original 'SINGLE CELL' Radiator that came with the the car with the much bigger 'DOUBLE CELL' because I thought that would be best practice. However I was advised against doing so by my mechanic in warri who said it wasn't necessary just yet. Uncomfortable as I was I decided to go with his advice.

Yesterday, I did a trip from Warri to Lagos. I went through Abeokuta and entered Lagos via Sango-Ota bypassing Kilometre 44 Traffic due to REDEEM Church activities. All the while the radiator indicator didn't go above the half way mark(AC) was on for the majority of the journey.

This morning while carrying out routine checks, I observed that there was very little water inside the radiator and I find this alarming no doubt.

Now my question to the Gurus in the house; is it that I need to change the radiator to the double cell or was it as a result of my using the AC. (Yesterday was Very HOT). I need answers since I'm heading back to warri come tuesday and I really don't want to wreck my engine?

NB: I drive to places like Benin, Yenagoa often but this has never happened before.

Any Ideas/solutions people

there is nothing wrong with your radiator

the water is never meant to be always full even without a leak, water level is lost during driving regulary but this is just topping up once a month and mostly less than a litre

the general concept is this, the more you travel the more you check your oil and water levels

with water even when the system is not leaking you would top up a 1litre or less in a month or even 2 months

for now just top up the water and see how much goes in and after 2 weeks top again, you will mostly likey to see that not much will go into the radiator (am assuming that the coolant system is not leaking )

ZIMDRILL:



there is nothing wrong with your radiator

the water is never meant to be always full even without a leak, water level is lost during driving regulary but this is just topping up once a month and mostly less than a litre

the general concept is this, the more you travel the more you check your oil and water levels

with water even when the system is not leaking you would top up a 1litre or less in a month or even 2 months

for now just top up the water and see how much goes in and after 2 weeks top again, you will mostly likey to see that not much will go into the radiator (am assuming that the coolant system is not leaking )

Yeah the coolant system is working very fine. There isn't any leakage elsewhere too.

Thanks a lot!

Are u using coolant or only water?

abatically:
Are u using coolant or only water?

Yes I also use coolant as well.

Then again I have been asked to change the Radiator to one with 'DOUBLE CELL '.

It's somewhat confusing

starlingbawa:


Yes I also use coolant as well.

Then again I have been asked to change the Radiator to one with 'DOUBLE CELL '.

It's somewhat confusing

It is not confusing you are the one confused by the mechanic who want money for xmas.

The car has been using that radiator since 1997 when manufacturer installed it. Why is it not good anymore now or does your expert know better than Toyota?

This thing has not cost you money don't make it a money pit, if you have excess money on your hand take your family for a good xmas picnic at the beach and save the rest for austerity the best you can do for your radiator now is to wash the cooling fins with soap and water to remove the mud and insect stuck in there

starlingbawa:


Yes I also use coolant as well.

Then again I have been asked to change the Radiator to one with 'DOUBLE CELL '.

It's somewhat confusing

Please change your radiator cover. Its seal is old and can no longer hold the radiator pressure when your engine is hot so the water escapes as steam.

Even if you buy a double cell radiator with a bad cover seal, you would still lose water.

Make sure you get OEM radiator cover and not tokunbo. Or you can buy a tokunbo if you would be able to identify a weak radiator cover seal with ur eyes and hands.

NB; I would be more comfortable using a double cell radiator in this part of the world.

DECOtech:


Please change your radiator cover. Its seal is old and can no longer hold the radiator pressure when your engine is hot so the water escapes as steam.

Even if you buy a double cell radiator with a bad cover seal, you would still lose water.

Make sure you get OEM radiator cover and not tokunbo. Or you can buy a tokunbo if you would be able to identify a weak radiator cover seal with ur eyes and hands.

NB; I would be more comfortable using a double cell radiator in this part of the world.

Exactly what I'm doing today. God bless you real good for this information. I appreciate!

And so people, based on some of your advises I changed the radiator to the one with 'DOUBLE CELL '. I made the trip back to warri only stopping at ORE to check on the performance of the Radiator. The water level didn't drop and the temperature gauge was remarkably low thus confirming everything working perfectly.

Thanks a lot to all you guys for your wonderful contributions. I appreciate 'GREAT' minds like you all on this forum.

Now this thread is officially dead!!!

Please gimme your single cell radiator

When u say the temperature level is pretty low.. Like how low are u talking about? If it is way below the half way then everything is not OK. Really I see no reason changing to a double cell radiator, ur engine will be slow to to get to its optimum temperature (especially when they run the fans to work ditectly with ignition ). A cold engine will never perform well and will be no good for ur mpg. Also it is a slow engine killer.

abatically:
When u say the temperature level is pretty low.. Like how low are u talking about? If it is way below the half way then everything is not OK. Really I see no reason changing to a double cell radiator, ur engine will be slow to to get to its optimum temperature (especially when they run the fans to work ditectly with ignition ). A cold engine will never perform well and will be no good for ur mpg. Also it is a slow engine killer.

Bro, that's a good point. There's a reason I didn't even comment on this thread. Naija guys collaborating with their mechos to destroy their cars and waste money anyhow.

@LOLOMIKE and ABATICALLY: I get your valid points no doubt and I appreciate your responses too.

Truth is the car performed well on my return journey to warri and I didn't experience anymore water shortage. Then again, the temperature gauge was slightly below the half way mark and not the way you re putting it(Abatically). Even with the AC on, it still performed well enough.

Then again, I wouldn't use the car for a lifetime and as such, I'm not losing any sleep over any car problems. God will always provide the next car(s) for us all!!!

Thanks guys for all the contributions!

OP, I heard there is triple cell now. And tell the mech to set the fan at highest speed also. That way, the temp gauge won't even leave the low mark. By the way, you should have listened to Decotech.

starlingbawa:
@LOLOMIKE and ABATICALLY: I get your valid points no doubt and I appreciate your responses too.

Truth is the car performed well on my return journey to warri and I didn't experience anymore water shortage. Then again, the temperature gauge was slightly below the half way mark and not the way you re putting it(Abatically). Even with the AC on, it still performed well enough.

Then again, I wouldn't use the car for a lifetime and as such, I'm not losing any sleep over any car problems. God will always provide the next car(s) for us all!!!

Thanks guys for all the contributions!

Enjoy ur car bro.. life is too short.

abatically:


Enjoy ur car bro.. life is too short.

Seconded by me.

Have a great day!

9icetoo:
OP, I heard there is triple cell now. And tell the mech to set the fan at highest speed also. That way, the temp gauge won't even leave the low mark. By the way, you should have listened to Decotech.

I guess you are probably right. But why the worry when I'm not going to use the car for a lifetime. It's a machine and meant to completely wear off and be discarded at some stage!