Hi there I have a 98 toyota Camry and I noticed last week that my antifreeze was going through very quickly then today I actually poped the hood while the car was running and noticed that the fans on the radiator are not working. What can I do? And What could it be?

Hold on a minute... you do know that these fans do not come on all the time. Temps need to be near 190-200* coolant temp... and you're not mentioning any overheating.
What does the temp gauge say? 1/2 way? That's normal. How about when you turn you a/c on. They should come on automatically with each cycle of the compressor.
I'm curious as to know what you meant by, "antifreeze going through very quickly"
Is the reservoir bottle full of coolant or empty?

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Originally Posted by kitch428

Hold on a minute.....you do know that these fans do not come on all the time. Temps need to be near 190-200* coolant temp......and you're not mentioning any overheating.
What does the temp gauge say?? 1/2 way? That's normal. How about when you turn you a/c on. They should come on automatically with each cycle of the compressor.
I'm curious as to know what you meant by, "antifreeze going through very quickly"
Is the reservoir bottle full of coolant or empty?

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First let me say your tone in your first line was un-called for.

Yes it was starting to overheat and yes the reservoir bottle is what is running empty after about 30 minutes of in town driving & stoping.

And yes I know when they come on and off. I also now know what is wrong. The radiator split in half sometime within the last 6 days as I just had the car in the shop for some other stuff.

Ok, now we're on the same page. That is not a tone. That is a professional trying to touch base with his client. It is a need to know basis. Very important questions to help us to help you. For what it's worth, sorry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitch428

Ok, now we're on the same page. That is not a tone. That is a professional trying to touch base with his client. It is a need to know basis. Very important questions to help us to help you. For what it's worth, sorry.

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Yup!
Help us help you.

I see this is an old post but just in case someone else comes across with the same problem.Some toyotas have a coolant sensor NOT to be confused with the Temperature sensor. The coolant sensor is located on the radiator it selt, most likely on the bottom and close to the middle. Replace it and the fans should work as needed. Now a temporary fix, unplug the sensor, this will make the fans run only when the engine is running or the key is on the on position. Good luck

A very helpful post. Only unplug the sensor to get you to the parts store to buy a new coolant sensor (which I almost never see go bad)

"That is not a tone. That is a professional trying to touch base with his client. It is a need to know basis. Very important questions to help us to help you."

A true professional knows how to politely get to the point, without the need to be abrupt, curt or conceding. But I guess it's a skill that doesn't come naturally to some people. Just like any other skill, is one that needs to be learned and one doesn't learn anything by making excuses for the way they act.

While every industry has it's own "need to know stuff," in here very few of us are "true professionals," compensated for the time we are in here to answer questions. Little time should be necessary to give us, "the answerers," the info we use to come up with sage advise.
While I ask certain questions to glean what I feel I need... others ask different questions to get what info they feel they need.
Kitch was very right to ask more accurate info of what the poster was actually asking. I've done the same. Take a look at my sticky - it's there to help us.
So, I ask you, Enginewarrior, go easy on the staff here. Spend some time with us.. answer a few questions and we'll all get along nicely. :cool:

Not everyday do I come home from working on cars that I'm in a great mood.
This has got to be one of the toughest businesses in the industry. It's very hard work and the pressure is on everyday.
But still, everyday I check in here to help someone out and maybe save them tons of time and money diagnosing.
I could just say never mind and walk away from the computer, but I not going to.
I'm a little thicker skinned than some It appears, so I'll do my best to work on that skill.
Good post, Rich.