Need local Bay-Area help to diagnose coolant issue

[984runnerguy]

Hi all,

There is a thread on my 98 4Runner below. It currently is losing a lot of coolant and via an inspection, I can say that the water pump is bad. There are also a few signs of possible HG failure (10ppm hydrocarbons in the radiator). I have not had a compression or leak down test done, however. It needs some suspension work and the water pump kit with all the hoses and seals, as well.

I'm trying to trace the coolant issue to determine if the HG is at fault. It has shaken on startup (smooths out at idle in 5-30 seconds) for about a year. Cylinder 3 is misfiring. No CEL on currently but it's also thrown a P0120 code here and there that I decided to ignore since it wasn't consistent. I'm not mechanically adept at all.

Much appreciated as I'm trying to mitigate costs that either way, are going to be expensive. Thank in advance

The other thread is here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-sell-keep-98-4runner-213k-hg-blown-more.html

 

[bpowa]

As much as people want to help. You have a lot of issues. For someone to dedicate a full day to help you.

I'm not trying to be an ass. But if you know you have a waterpump that is bad. Replace that first. You can also verify that. Buy spending a few bucks buying a radiator pressure pump and test.

It seems you need a mechanic to do all the work than to "help"

 

[984runnerguy]

Fair enough. Certainly not trying to be unreasonable. Sounds like get a pressure test done and go from there.

 

[bpowa]

how mechanically inclined are you?

if its not a major leak on the water pump.. then pull the plugs and look to see if there is any fouling or wetness on cylinder #3.

If there is and since your there. buy a compression tester at harbor freight.. its about 20-30 bucks.. depending on compression you can either just replace the plugs and wires or headgasket.

This is the best and lowest cost way to get you going.. after that point you can decide on waterpump and timing belt which is a bigger job..

if it were my car its what i would start out first..

check autozone or the local autoparts store they might have compression tester and radiator pressure tester for rent.. and its free if you leave a deposit.

 

[984runnerguy]

I know that the water pump is leaking badly, just trying to figure out if the HG is additional and what is in aggregate responsible for coolant loss.

Looks like a local shop will compression test for free, so I may go that route.

Again, thank you.

 

[bpowa]

I know that the water pump is leaking badly, just trying to figure out if the HG is additional and what is in aggregate responsible for coolant loss.

Looks like a local shop will compression test for free, so I may go that route.

Again, thank you.

Be careful with that.. No shop unless you know them personally would do a compression check for free. its an hour worth of work. its probably an hour and a half according to alldata or mitchell manuals.

would you give away 150 bucks?

If your thing a radiator pressure check yes they would likely do it for free.. it takes 5 minutes, but im sure they will be pushy to sell you the service of replacing the water pump and timing belt. I worked years managing shops.

 

[984runnerguy]

Ahh. Well, I'll drop it and pay. Gotta figure it out.

Be careful with that.. No shop unless you know them personally would do a compression check for free. its an hour worth of work. its probably an hour and a half according to alldata or mitchell manuals.

would you give away 150 bucks?

If your thing a radiator pressure check yes they would likely do it for free.. it takes 5 minutes, but im sure they will be pushy to sell you the service of replacing the water pump and timing belt. I worked years managing shops.

 

[bpowa]

Ahh. Well, I'll drop it and pay. Gotta figure it out.

if it makes you feel any better.. I put about 2k worth of parts and suspension. tires etc.. I just bout this and put 4k miles so far. All I can say is the truck was worth it. and I can say that everything had been maintained, and in tip top shape.. if the trans go which at this point i doubt. i will deal with it then.

 

[BrianSD_42]

OK there should be plenty of shops willing to do a compression test for $75-$100

And I would think someone in the bay area would be willing to help this guy out.

Not with replacing parts for him but at least with the compression test and diagnosis.

 

[BrianSD_42]

He's right.

When was the last time you replaced the plugs?

Are they Toyota plugs?

One thing you can do in addition to compression test is look in each cyl with a flashlight. Is there carbon? There should be carbon. A clean cyl wall with green coolant present is a classic head issue flag.