Is it time to replace the thermostat? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Satter · 08-14-2020, 07:33 PM

My T4R will be 24 years old in October. It has 178k miles. To the best of my knowledge the thermostat has never been changed. Should I have it replaced?

sleepydad · 08-14-2020, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satter

My T4R will be 24 years old in October. It has 178k miles. To the best of my knowledge the thermostat has never been changed. Should I have it replaced?

as long as it's still functioning I would leave it alone.

if the radiator is still original I would replace it.

there are some other items on these truck that tend to cause issues after 20+ years. lower ball joints, radiator, rear axle seals.

almost anybody can do a radiator replacement, it's super easy. protects you from overheating and doing engine damage.

2,Cents

Satter · 08-14-2020, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydad

as long as it's still functioning I would leave it alone.

if the radiator is still original I would replace it.

there are some other items on these truck that tend to cause issues after 20+ years. lower ball joints, radiator, rear axle seals.

almost anybody can do a radiator replacement, it's super easy. protects you from overheating and doing engine damage.

2,Cents

Thanks! Actually my radiator cracked over a year ago and was replaced. Gotta timing belt change too. The stealership said the water pump was fine and didn’t need replacing. I know the old saying “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”. But this truck is old and I’m just trying to stay ahead of things.

sleepydad · 08-14-2020, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satter

Thanks! Actually my radiator cracked over a year ago and was replaced. Gotta timing belt change too. The stealership said the water pump was fine and didn’t need replacing. I know the old saying “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”. But this truck is old and I’m just trying to stay ahead of things.

and it seems like once you touch it then the water pump will leak.

I know what you mean on therm and I remember driving older trucks like chev, ford where therms went bad. I have never seen a toyota one go bad in the 25 years of driving these trucks. maybe other have seen them fail but it seems like a bullet proof part to me.

drive it and love it.

Traveler74 · 08-14-2020, 09:55 PM

I looked into replacing my thermostat and I discovered, to my displeasure, that it is one hell of a big job. At least according to Haynes Repair Manual, you would have to remove the radiator and most of the front part of the engine, including the timing belt.
As for me, I'm going to let sleeping dogs lay.

toverturf · 08-14-2020, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traveler74

I looked into replacing my thermostat and I discovered, to my displeasure, that it is one hell of a big job. At least according to Haynes Repair Manual, you would have to remove the radiator and most of the front part of the engine, including the timing belt.
As for me, I'm going to let sleeping dogs lay.

That's for the water pump. Thermostat you just have to drain the coolant and remove 3 nuts on the thermostat neck and it's right there.

Traveler74 · 08-14-2020, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toverturf

That's for the water pump. Thermostat you just have to drain the coolant and remove 3 nuts on the thermostat neck and it's right there.

Oops. Yep, you're right. I looked up oil pump and thermostat on the same day and I got confused. Sorry.

cashflow50 · 08-14-2020, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toverturf

That's for the water pump. Thermostat you just have to drain the coolant and remove 3 nuts on the thermostat neck and it's right there.

I concur

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Satter · 08-15-2020, 12:11 PM

Well, Scotty Kilmer’s latest video got me thinking about me thermostat. That’s why made the thread.

Car Dealership Scam Caught on Camera, You Won't Believe This - YouTube

gamefreakgc · 08-15-2020, 02:01 PM

The 2nd Gens with the 22RE and 3VZ-E engines has issues with thermostats. The 5VZ-FE's are solid and you shouldn't have to mess with it. It's a wax activated system where the wax becomes more pliable when hot, it's pretty fool-proof and reliable.

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