Is she dead?? I"m crying from the overheating

[Cog]

My beloved 2003, with 247,000 well loved miles, had a most bizarre afternoon.
After sitting in the shade idling for about 10 minutes in 95 degree heat, waiting for my elderly mom to come out of the hospital (yes really), we pull out of the parking lot and the A/C starts blowing hot air.
About a mile later, and the A/C continuing to cycle cold and hot through the vent, I notice the Check Engine light and VSC Trac lights come on.
Then, the temp gauge begins to climb and I begin to panic.

I've got a sickly 82 year old woman in the car, the A/C is not working, and we are 25 minutes to her house.

We limp home, with the temp gauge hitting red, then falling a little, then back to red. I turned the A/C off immediately upon seeing the temp climbing. And would coast down hills, roll in neutral, etc. trying to give the motor a break.

2 minutes from her house, and the radiator starts blowing steam...and the motor dies when stopped. I also began hearing what sounded clunky (oh crap, bearings?? piston?...scary sounds)...

She limped into the driveway and she's still there.

After about an hour, I check the oil and transmission oil dip sticks. Both fluids looked fine (no apparent coolant in the oil).

IS SHE DEAD, MY BELOVED?

 

[Cog]

Deceased radiator cap

Forgot to ask for your feedback. Where to start diagnosing? Possible, and probable, outcomes?
Thanks in advance. I LOVE this truck and want her to get the best care she can.

Here is the radiator cap corpse.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

So After cooling down - I guess I would start with topping off the coolant and starting her up and see what happens.

It could have been a coolant leak/ loss of pressure, radiator, water pump or head gasket

The clunk you heard is the most concerning thing. If it sounds funny cranking or wont start up, you may have bigger engine failure issues and may need to get it towed to get diagnosed

Good luck

 

[Cog]

Thanks Syr4r...that is what I'll do in the morning and report back. I appreciate it.

 

[parsky1]

My beloved 2003, with 247,000 well loved miles, had a most bizarre afternoon.
After sitting in the shade idling for about 10 minutes in 95 degree heat, waiting for my elderly mom to come out of the hospital (yes really), we pull out of the parking lot and the A/C starts blowing hot air.
About a mile later, and the A/C continuing to cycle cold and hot through the vent, I notice the Check Engine light and VSC Trac lights come on.
Then, the temp gauge begins to climb and I begin to panic.

I've got a sickly 82 year old woman in the car, the A/C is not working, and we are 25 minutes to her house.

We limp home, with the temp gauge hitting red, then falling a little, then back to red. I turned the A/C off immediately upon seeing the temp climbing. And would coast down hills, roll in neutral, etc. trying to give the motor a break.

2 minutes from her house, and the radiator starts blowing steam...and the motor dies when stopped. I also began hearing what sounded clunky (oh crap, bearings?? piston?...scary sounds)...

She limped into the driveway and she's still there.

After about an hour, I check the oil and transmission oil dip sticks. Both fluids looked fine (no apparent coolant in the oil).

IS SHE DEAD, MY BELOVED?

V8 or V6? The cast iron block of the v8 is more tolerant of overheating before blowing a head gasket, but nothing is bulletproof.

 

[Cog]

V8. Good to hear I may have avoided head gasket issues...a man can hope!
Thanks for the reply.

 

[SurferUK]

My beloved 2003, with 247,000 well loved miles, had a most bizarre afternoon.
After sitting in the shade idling for about 10 minutes in 95 degree heat, waiting for my elderly mom to come out of the hospital (yes really), we pull out of the parking lot and the A/C starts blowing hot air.
About a mile later, and the A/C continuing to cycle cold and hot through the vent, I notice the Check Engine light and VSC Trac lights come on.
Then, the temp gauge begins to climb and I begin to panic.

I've got a sickly 82 year old woman in the car, the A/C is not working, and we are 25 minutes to her house.

We limp home, with the temp gauge hitting red, then falling a little, then back to red. I turned the A/C off immediately upon seeing the temp climbing. And would coast down hills, roll in neutral, etc. trying to give the motor a break.

2 minutes from her house, and the radiator starts blowing steam...and the motor dies when stopped. I also began hearing what sounded clunky (oh crap, bearings?? piston?...scary sounds)...

She limped into the driveway and she's still there.

After about an hour, I check the oil and transmission oil dip sticks. Both fluids looked fine (no apparent coolant in the oil).

IS SHE DEAD, MY BELOVED?

Sorry to hear your beloved is unwell! Could it be a faulty fan clutch, causing both the overheat and the mechanical noises?

I think the auxiliary drive belt being loose or snapping could also cause this as it drives the water pump, but doesn't necessarily explain the mechanicals sounds.

Lastly it could be the water pump itself.

Can you see if it starts and make a video?

 

[alia176]

PLease pull the codes and tell us so that we have a starting point. There are details that are being left out, not intentionally of course, but it happens. What we think we recall vs what actually happened are two different things.

The reason for the a/c to blow hot/cold/hot air is possibly the overheating condition caused the a/c comp to shut down to protect itself. I'm not sure what temp this happens, perhaps 226deg?

The sudden sound you heard, I don't have a clue since we weren't there.

We need facts, not conjectures! Web Dxing is extremely difficult at best. That's why mechanics don't want to do it over the phone.

Let's hope for the best and keep a positive attitude. My engine is 400k+ and I don't baby it so these engines are tough, don't worry.

 

[SurferUK]

Does the timing belt drive the water pump on the V8? I know nothing about that engine as it wasn't available in the RHD market.

 

[parsky1]

Timing belt drives water pump on the v8

 

[SurferUK]

Timing belt drives water pump on the v8

Hopefully the water pump didn't take out the timing belt just as OP switched off the engine...

 

[Cog]

UPDATE - She Lives!

Thanks for everyone that weighed in.
Here's the latest....

Check Engine and VSC Off lights were illuminated. Code was P0117 (might be missing a zero).

Yesterday I replaced the thermostat, the radiator cap, and flushed the system with a garden hose. I was facing downhill so I knew I'd need a burping to get the air out. I also vacuumed out the expansion tank. That fluid was reddish brown and the pickup tube had fallen down off the cap nipple.

Replaced fluids with pre diluted Asian ready pink coolant from Autozone.

She fired right up, with the code thrown (I'd not cleared it yet). No metal / mechanical failure / marbles sounds at all. None.

Ran the ODBII iPhone app, cleared the code, and turned the truck around so the radiator was high side of the hill. While running, burped and added fluid with the cap off. Left it running.

Then cleared the code. Went for a drive while monitoring temps on the app.
Ambient temp was 89-93.

Windows down, drove for 10 minutes. Coolant temp peaked at 200, then fell down and held steady at 198. Windows up, A/C on full blast while driving. Temp held steady between 194 and 199.

20 minutes of driving, all was well. Sat in the drive way at idle, full blast A/C, temps were perfect.

My best guess is the noise I was hearing was cavitation / steam flash due to a stuck thermostat. Or the combination of stuck thermostat and radiator cap failure?
While I"m baffled, I'm more sold than ever that this V8 is a beast of a platform.

 

[HanSolo]

At 21 years old, I recommend you overhaul that cooling system so you can forget about it. New radiator, rad hoses, heater hoses, throttle body hoses, and oil cooler hoses. Preferably new OEM clamps on there too but if cost scares you then I would million times recommend reusing OEM clamps over replacing with worm clamps parts store trash.

 

[Cog]

HanSolo.
I appreciate the input. I went through all the hoses I could get to and they all appear to be in great shape. No sticking or tearing when I removed them for this project.
Is the radiator replacement a function of leaking or it being less efficient due to build up?
And good point on the hose clamps. Thanks.

 

[Cog]

I spoke too soon....small radiator leak

At 21 years old, I recommend you overhaul that cooling system so you can forget about it. New radiator, rad hoses, heater hoses, throttle body hoses, and oil cooler hoses. Preferably new OEM clamps on there too but if cost scares you then I would million times recommend reusing OEM clamps over replacing with worm clamps parts store trash.

HanSolo, I'm taking your advice. I made about 50 minutes into a 3 hour drive and white steam billows from under the hood.
Got out and was able to observe the source (vs. stuck in the car with my elderly mom). Seems to be originating in the core down below the radiator cap...somewhere, as it's impossible to see the actual leak.
Luckily stopped at a tire and brake shop so I have a nice place to wait for my son to come get me with a trailer.

Rock Auto has numerous radiator cores for sale. Anyone have a preference? Any chance someone makes a whole kit?

 

[HanSolo]

HanSolo, I'm taking your advice. I made about 50 minutes into a 3 hour drive and white steam billows from under the hood.
Got out and was able to observe the source (vs. stuck in the car with my elderly mom). Seems to be originating in the core down below the radiator cap...somewhere, as it's impossible to see the actual leak.
Luckily stopped at a tire and brake shop so I have a nice place to wait for my son to come get me with a trailer.

Rock Auto has numerous radiator cores for sale. Anyone have a preference? Any chance someone makes a whole kit?

You can experiment with aftermarket. The only aftermarket brand I would consider is Gates, and that can be hit or miss. Dayco is usually garbage when new and definitely garbage after 3 years. I would just go on Partsouq or Amayama, order OEM stuff and be done. The radiator might be more cost prohibitive to order there and you can usually get a decent replacement from Denso or Koyo. I'm sure there's dudes who use aftermarket and swear it's all perfect, but after doing this to multiple vehicles all I can tell you is buy once, cry once. The time wasted is way more valuable.

How recent is your timing belt? Water pumps can go. If your fan clutch is original then it is definitely not cooling how it once did. Aisin only for these parts. Like I said, buy once cry once and beware of fake parts on Ebay and Amazon.

 

[Cog]

Like I said, buy once cry once and beware of fake parts on Ebay and Amazon.

I live by that saying.
The timing belt, water pump and clutch are now on my list to do while the radiator is out. Thanks again for the help.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I put a Denso from Rockauto in my truck last year. Perfect fit and no issues. Denso supplies many many OEM parts for these.

 

[SurferUK]

You can experiment with aftermarket. The only aftermarket brand I would consider is Gates, and that can be hit or miss. Dayco is usually garbage when new and definitely garbage after 3 years. I would just go on Partsouq or Amayama, order OEM stuff and be done. The radiator might be more cost prohibitive to order there and you can usually get a decent replacement from Denso or Koyo. I'm sure there's dudes who use aftermarket and swear it's all perfect, but after doing this to multiple vehicles all I can tell you is buy once, cry once. The time wasted is way more valuable.

How recent is your timing belt? Water pumps can go. If your fan clutch is original then it is definitely not cooling how it once did. Aisin only for these parts. Like I said, buy once cry once and beware of fake parts on Ebay and Amazon.

Another for Amayama from me. I ended up ordering a whole rear bumper for what is in my case in this country, an imported/non-standard 16 year old vehicle. It arrived in excellent packaging etc. I also ordered water pump, thermostat, etc. Easy to use site and they are very helpfukl

 

[Cog]

Back on the road

Final entry to the drama.
First, my 4Runner is a beast. I probably drove her for 15 minutes pegged in the red. And yet, she lives!

Ordered the OEM fan clutch. I've got a full OEM timing belt kit (water pump, etc) but will have to attack that later.
For speed, I had already ordered a ASI 2-ROW Aluminum Radiator For 2003-2009 08 Toyota 4Runner Lexus GX470 4.7L V8 from eBaby. $192.

The radiator went in without a hitch. Direct fit.

So far, she's running perfectly. We've hit 98 degrees and 90% humidity and with full A/C pumping the temp gauge is steady in the middle.

Thanks to everyone that weighed in. I appreciate it.