My new 87 and some questions....

[willyj]

Hi All, My name is Will and I just picked up an 87 4runner with the 22re and 5 speed manual. Its got 233000 miles but the kicker is that I only paid 500 bucks for it. It seems to run and drive good.drives down the road straight and tight, 4x4 works well. doesnt seem to leak or burn any oil. it has rust but hat do you expect from a mid western 4runner?

However, I noticed that when you shut it off it will belch a little coolant from the resevoir overflow hose. The temp guage never moves when driving(working? sits at about a third of the way up), however driving it today I stopped for gas and I noticed that it leaked a little coolant. I popped the hood and there was steam. turned around and went home 2 miles popped the hood again. no steam but the rad cap(new) and some hoses were pretty hot! Also I noticed while driving it abit over the last few days it kinda sounds like a diesel when accelerating. Is this indicative of it needing a new timing belt or a trans/clutch issue? there is no coolant in the oil or white stuff under the oil cap. Not sure if these problems are connected....... any help is greatly appreciated! Im new to the T4R!! great forum you guys got here! As I paid next to nothing for it and love these vehicles, I dont mind dropping some cash to get it up to snuff. Thanks much!

Best, Will

 

[helo-mech]

I would think that you need to look at whether your temp gauge is really telling you the right story. It sounds like your 25 year old temp system, sensor, wiring and possibly gauge, is not reading correctly.

Where there is steam, there is overheating.

 

[willyj]

ok, so I just took it for a short drive then let it idle in the drive way. I did get the temp guage to move, went up to about 3/4 then dropped back off to norm. this time coolant leaked out the overflow hose while running but not at shut down and now the overflow bottle is almost full, where it was about half full or less before.....

 

[KidVermicious]

"Sounds like a diesel" is a pretty common description of timing chain slap, in my experience. I'd deal with that soonish, the consequences could be ugly.

 

[helo-mech]

"Sounds like a diesel" is a pretty common description of timing chain slap, in my experience. I'd deal with that soonish, the consequences could be ugly.

Yeah I didn't even read that part. Sorry. Your gonna be alright cause you got it at a good price, but you do need to look at your chain. EM45 of the FSM. Once you get that worked out take a look at the temperature system. While doing the chain you can take the time to do a good radiator flush and system check.

 

[willyj]

Ok, pretty much figured about the diesel sound. will do that very soon. now on to the cooling system. I just changed the thermostat to a new one. took it out for a little drive. temp guage fine but reservoir bottle filled all the way up and coolant pouring out of the overflow hose. also noted that the coolant looks dirty/ has black particles in it..... could all it need is a good flush? guess Im a gonna do that now. Thanks a bunch for the input!! keep it coming!

 

[helo-mech]

Yeah it sounds like it needs a flush. Besides a good flush never hurts. As for the overflow bottle, you may have to much fluid in the system. If the T-stat was bad and causing an overheating issue, someone may have just kept adding fluid to it without ever checking anything.

Flush that baby out, empty the overflow bottle, fill as required and see what happens. But don't wait around on that chain.

 

[Bad_Vision]

a head gasket when its starting to go bad will force compression of air into the cooling system and spit out coolant out the resivoir

 

[willyj]

yeah for sure, will start the chain replacement this week. does anyone think a bad water pump would cause this? will keep ya posted! thanks a bunch!

 

[Bad_Vision]

No on the water pump thing they stop pushing water when the belt stops moving and if your t stat is open then it wouldn't spit it out. Sorry for the caps.

 

[KidVermicious]

a head gasket when its starting to go bad will force compression of air into the cooling system and spit out coolant out the resivoir

Which would also explain the debris in the coolant.

You have to pull the valve cover to get the timing chain cover off, I think I'd go ahead and do the whole head while you're in there. Water pumps are cheap and easy to replace as well and I see no point in skimping - at this point, freshen the whole thing and be confident in it when you're done!

 

[willyj]

Thanks for the input all!

I do think its head gasket. Ive never actually done one, but am pretty mechanically inclined and have another car to drive in the mean time so needing it right away to drive is not a factor. I do think Im up for the challenge.....

now is it better just to do the head or just swap the motor out? what are the chances the block is shot? If I was to do the head gasket, is it better to just replace the head and if so, Ive seen the brand new head and gasket kits on ebay for 300 bucks, or are these sh>t for some reason? Is there a better place to go?

I know lots of questions, but ones Ive been wrestling with in the last few days trying to figure out what to do.....thanks much for your time!!

 

[hoe_nah]

If I were in your position I'd pull the whole motor and just rebuild it top to bottom. But it all depends on how long u wanna keep it.

 

[KidVermicious]

If I were in your position I'd pull the whole motor and just rebuild it top to bottom. But it all depends on how long u wanna keep it.

This. If your block is sound, keep it. Of you just wanna get it on the road or trail while you drive it into the ground, get a junkyard motor for $100.

And go to engnbldr.com for rebuild kits.