Heater issue

Kingrider

New member
2004 4 L V6 four runner. After it gets completely warmed up it only blows warm when you're going down the road. If I stop for a few minutes and just idle it starts to blow cold. Then when I get back on the road it starts to blow Warm again, any thoughts?
 
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2004 4 L V6 four runner. After it gets completely warmed up it only blows warm when you're going down the road. If I stop for a few minutes and just idle it starts to blow cold. Then when I get back on the road it starts to blow Warm again, any thoughts?

Have you checked your fluid levels at all. You may have a slow leak somewhere that has dropped the levels far enough to cause that issue. I have the same problem. Radiator is leaking at a corner and a substantial amount of fluid comes out over a few months. Check your levels first then go searching for a leak
 
Check under the rad cap

Pressure will push the fluid into the reservoir. Check the radiator itself. Take the cap off and see if you have fluid near the top. IF you see none, then your fluid may be low and air is present in the system.
 
The overflow reservoir is at full hot for the coolant

That only means that the radiator is either sealed correctly and at the correct fluid level, or that the radiator is not sealed (i.e. a bad cap) and it is not suctioning the coolant from the reservoir bottle back into the system)

My parts store doesn't have the Toyota coolant. Can I just use normal coolant?

Not really... there isn't many coolants that meet Toyota's SLLC specifications.

Zerex Asian Formula is pretty damn close as is Amsoil's Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant. But I wouldn't use anything else. I would check with Carquest or a Toyota dealer, our local Carquest actually stocks Toyota coolants.
 
You can also get the Zerex here: Amazon.com: Zerex 675130 Asian Vehicle Anitfreeze / Coolant - Gallon: Automotive
But check around. The coolant you need will be expensive regardless. Also check it; most is premixed so you won't add water.

BlackWorksInc, how are the HVAC blender doors operated? If by vacuum, could a vacuum leak cause the cold air at idle / no load?

Our 4th gens use all actuators for the HVAC doors. I had that issue with my old S10 Blazer where there was a vacuum leak and it would default to the defroster. But that's not something that would happen on a 4th gen or newer.
 
I have the same issue. At 210,000 miles my v6 drinks coolant at a rate of 1/2 a jug every 10,000 miles. It's been this way since I bought it 3 years ago at 180k and probably a small head gasket leak. Open up the cap when it's cold and see if the system still has pressure in it, Mine does. Leave the cap off and start the engine and fill the radiator till its topped off and You'll have nonstop heat again. You may hear some gurgling inside the cabin too which is air being pushed out of the heater core. I can usually tell when it's drinking coolant because it doesn't idle as smooth. It hasn't gotten any worse so I've never been too worried about it (as I knock on wood)
 

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