Engine heating up when idling still

[nely]

I just went thru this with my 4runner. Not the using of coolant, since I just didbheadgaskets on it. But id drive it to work no problems, then sit and idle and it would slowly creep up. Never got the the red though.

I did the "news paper" fan clutch test... with my hand and it stopped. "Dont try with your hand, ive been working on cars for 15 years.

I installed a new aisin fan clutch and its fixed.

After I had replaced the fan clutch I grabbed the old clutch and the snout that mounts to the engine. It gave me a little resistance for a few turns left to right, then spun easily and was very weak. To weak to pull any significant amount of air thru the radiator.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I changed the plugs about two months ago and they were perfectly clean. The wrong kind, but in good shape.

Have you checked the plugs SINCE it started overheating? 2 months ago doesn't matter if the problem showed up a week ago.

 

[JEL]

Have you checked the plugs SINCE it started overheating? 2 months ago doesn't matter if the problem showed up a week ago.

x2.

Fouled plugs are a common sign on the 4th gen V6's between 03-05 which suffered a fair amount of head gasket failures. Many have reported they changed the plugs recently but then began feeling rough idles and losing coolant, so head gaskets can be fine and then suddenly fail, or take a long time. It's worth checking, even though you just did them 2 months ago.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I suffered a cracked head CYL#3 issue at 199,800 miles and I can assure you that the truck ran GREAT until the moment it started misfiring. I've had my truck 12+ years and it has been well taken care of.

 

[GrampsT4R]

So the dealer had the car for a week and couldn't duplicate the problem at all. Pressure tested the system- no leaks. Radiator is good. Plugs are good. They said to call if it happens again. But I think it may have just been low coolant.