Over heating issue

[94PaT4R]

Ok well i'm a little pissed so if anyone could help me out soon that would be great.

Well to start Monday the 21st i bought my first T4R auto 94 3.0 V6. 204K on the dash. It seems like one problem after another. The guy I bought it off of said it had the engine and trans replaced and both had about 60k on them. Which now i believe him to be full of it. Today i just added coolant to it because it was a little low after driving off and on for about 3 hours it was fine went to take a short trip (15mins) and it started over heating. I brought it home, shut it off, popped the hood and coolant was all over the engine bay. Popped the radiator cap and no pressure. Filled it back up, squeezed the top hose got all the air out of it added more. Started it up radiator was just pushing coolant out. Could it have blown the head gasket, thermostat or what? Like I said if you guys could help me out quick that would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[jimmy94]

if its a head gasket you would have colored smoke coming from the exhaust so prolly not that, dont rule it out tho. i had the exact same thing happen in mine, replaced the thermostat and radiator cap and flushed the radiator and all hoses and never has done it again. hopefully that helps

 

[run4yota]

i recently blew my head gasket.. if bubbles are coming from your coolant on a cold or near cold motor (and they will prob smell like gas) then i'd suspect your head gasket, it's common and could be the reason he was selling the car.

i bought my 4 runner with the same context (186k on the dash but "50k" on the new motor) and let me tell you this.. that guy is a liar, i tore my motor down and found gobbs of the head gasket sealant "quick fix" sh!T... i dont really care cuz i'm enjoying rebuilding it but it sounds like you have the same issue.

 

[94PaT4R]

thanks guys. yea i was planning on going the cheaper and less complicated way out and do the t-stat, hoses cap and flushing 1st then if it comes down to it do the head gasket last. i have my daughters birthday party tomorrow but planning to wrench on it some sunday. i'll let yall know how it goes. thanks again

 

[94PaT4R]

hey guys its actually just a crack at the spout to the top of the radiator. Thanks for the help i dont think it blew my head gasket, since it was just because it didnt have any pressure.

 

[turboSR5]

Easy way to tell if you have a blown head gasket is to sniff the coolant reservoir. If it smells like an aerosol spray can then that is the result of combustion gasses mixing with your coolant. Not a 100% sign that one is blown, you could have a gasket blown but if it isnt at the combustion chamber you won't have that smell.

 

[94PaT4R]

Hey TurboSR5, it does smell like an aerosol can. If i replace my head gasket what else should i replace while im in there?

 

[fourwd1]

I'd replace the timing belt, water pump, etc while it's all torn apart.
You may want to do a little more than just the smell test before deciding it's the HG.

 

[Robdawg]

Hg

I've had a few cars and when I check one out to purchase I always check the oil filler cap, nut. I look for the milky brown discoloring inside the cap it seems to collect there and if someone's a good scammer it will be clean. I know your past the purchase but take a look and if your head gasket is done the residue milky brown will probably be there. Good luck! :cheers:

 

[94PaT4R]

Thanks Rob and Fourwd1.

Also Fourwd1 what other testing should I do to determine if its the HG or not? I have done a few different things, and all of them are pointing toward the HG.

 

[markfagus]

go to auto zone and pick up a block test kit and dye. it will tell you if there is a presence of exhaust gases in the radiator. That should tell you if it is your HG

 

[94PaT4R]

Ok thanks Mark

 

[RpzInc]

A proper leak down test should be done. it will tell you what shape most of your motor is in.