Ghost overheat

[Kamikaze6rr]

My daughter's 1996 sr5 will drive all day no issues. Some days though we get a gurgling sound from the radiator/overflow. When we here this and try to start after coming back car won't start. The entire time the temp gauge shows normal. I have a Zeus obd reader and moved from my 2000 to hers and no rpm or temp showing at all on the gauge.
On start the fan is running fast and then slows as it warms up.
The radiator cap looks like the 2000
Flushed the coolant couple weeks ago. No bubbles in system
Radiator is black top so relatively new but definitely not stock.
First time this happened was reaching the top of Wiseman.
Patience got her started. No problem for 70 mile return trip. Highway and then when we got home let it idle after all that highway driving. No gurgles and started every time after. This is what made me flush the coolant to be safe
Then weeks later, yesterday, she just get her license. Drive to Ultra and then to work. Maybe 30 mins tops driving and when she went to leave work, wouldn't start. Waited a few and started and then came home. She called me and said it did the same like at Wiseman.
What could this be?

 

[jgue467]

... Some days though we get a gurgling sound from the radiator/overflow. When we here this and try to start after coming back car won't start. ...radiator cap looks like the 2000
...What could this be?

I think the two symptoms are not related but you never know. the dash guage is far from accurate, it won't go to red until the engine coolant is near 300, nog good. Get yourself the $5 version of torque pro, an odb2 blue tooth connector and you'll have accurate engine fluid temps but given its a 96 not so such, so someone on here with a similar model yr will probably chime ine.

If the age of the radiator cap is in question, I would replace with a new one, especially if there is 'gurgling', its cheap protection so just do it soon.

The hard to start after warmed up, driven and parked a little while, could be again could be the fuel pump. The pump has a one way valve, if that valve is failing but again that just a hunch. Could also be fuel injectors leaking after sitting. Experts where are you?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

All 3 4Runners I bought had broken rad caps when I bought them.

When you remove the cap is antifreeze touching the bottom of the cap?

Are you adding coolant to the expansion tank on occasion?


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