Coolant problem :-(

[pwalsh53]

Hi guys.

Ok, so here's the background of this problem: when I bought this 4 Runner (96 SR5), the radiator and expansion tank were nasty with rusty goo, so I did a coolant flush last week and replaced the radiator and tank. I flushed the heater core, engine and everything.

The thermostat seized up on the way to the track this weekend, so I had to pull it out at the side of the road to keep the car going without overheating.

But now when I fill the radiator to the top and try to bleed it as best I can, after driving for a while the car has pushed alot of coolant out into the expansion tank, and it doesnt seem like the radiator is full anymore.

I'm pretty sure I bled it all the way but I could be wrong. Could this just be air bubbles or something more major?

Thanks!
Patrick

 

[lexustech]

do it have the 3.0L in it if so i would look focus on checking the headgaskets

 

[RonMAIDEN]

do it have the 3.0L in it if so i would look focus on checking the headgaskets

This is a 3rd gen forum so no go with a 3.slO.

 

[pwalsh53]

re:

Ok guys, so unfortunately I'm pretty sure this is a head gasket :-(

The system was gunked up with rusty goo before, and there was a residue of this goo on certain parts of the engine compartment nearest to the cooling system (IE it overheated and blew a hose off at some point in its life), and when I did a coolant flush I think I loosened up everything that was holding the HG together.

It is definitely an external leak (apparently common for 5VZFE engines), as I attempted to bleed the system for well over 90 minutes and the air bubbles didn't slow down or decrease in size. The engine continued to boil the coolant due to all the air, and push it out into the expansion tank.

So, today I began tearing down the engine, I will try to post some pics in a half-assed tutorial (keep in mind this is my first 4Runner and I have no idea what I'm doing other than years of working on other cars and the Toyota service manual ... http://techinfo.toyota.com)

Fortunately (I guess) the valve cover gaskets were already shot and I was planning on replacing them...so this is really just a few steps further (timing belt, cams, heads, exhaust manifolds...)

For those interested, my car did qualify for the service campaign to repair the 5VZFE gaskets under warranty, but it expired in 2004 :-( Thanks, Toyota and previous owner.

Maintain your cooling system!

Patrick

 

[gapboi210]

fi there is "goo" i wonder is a previous owner put some sort of "stop leak" or "block sealant" in there before and it was just hanging on. I have a leak somewhere. My recovery tank is empty about every month or so. I never see a drop anywhere and the radiator is always full.

 

[pwalsh53]

RE:

Update:

So I am elbows deep in the engine of the 4Runner now. Got everything off except for the two heads and one set of cams.

I am someone with moderate mechanical experience, and this job has been a breeze so far. All you need is the Toyota factory service manual. You do NOT need any of the special tools it says to do the job.

In case anyone attempts a head gasket job, a quick note:

You do NOT have to take the crank pulley off. You can simply remove the two cam sprockets, slide them off with the timing belt, and lay the belt off to the side. This will save you time and money. I was able to easy remove the cams on the right side this way.

Be VERY careful with the cams, they can crack easily. What I did was unscrew the bolts in the order specified, two turns at a time, and carefully removed the camshafts.

You will need an M6X1.0 bolt to hold the secondary gear to the primary gear on the exhaust cams (don't know how else to describe it). I got an M6x1.0 at my local hardware store, 16mm in length.

I'll try to post some pics before the end of it, but this has been a relatively easy job so far. I would definitely consider doing it yourself if you have any mechanical aptitude, and save 1000-1500 bucks. It will take a week or two, but you'll get the chance to find out how everything works and fits together in your engine, which will hopefully give you a little better feel for the car. And you'll have a feeling of accomplishment...unless you break something (which I probably will when I start putting it back together)

Later this week I will take off the heads and send them to a local automotive machine shop to get them 'decked' (make sure the bottom surface is flat). NOTE: there are a bunch of little shims under the cams that hold your valve adjustment. DO NOT TURN THE HEADS UPSIDE DOWN without securing these. The machinist told me that valve jobs are a pain in the ass on these heads partially because of this.

More to come...

Patrick

 

[pwalsh53]

re

Quick note:

Most of you probably already know this, but all the service/official goodies you could ever want concerning your Toyota can be found at:


techinfo.toyota.com

Pay a subscription and you get repair manuals, wiring diagrams, recalls, etc etc. Good stuff!

Cheers,
Patrick