Overheating 4 runner question

[andyk5]

I have 95 4runner with the v6 engine and auto transmission. Today I had to pull over because there was lots of steam coming from the motor and the heat gauge was at red. I stopped, waited for the motor to cooldown a bit and poured in water in to the radiator. The Radiator took a lot of water in, however there is no water leak. I can actually fill the radiator to the top and it stays there. So I start the truck again and within 5 minutes, the engine is overheating and the steam is everywhere. Also when I turn on the heater, I get no heat at all. I was wondering if this points out to a faulty thermostat?

 

[andyk5]

Or is it the Head gasket I wonder...

 

[4runner_kid]

Check your oil. If it's milky it is a head gasket. Or smell your coolant, if it smell's like exhaust its a head gasket. You can alway's do a compression test on it to.

 

[rumme]

I have 95 4runner with the v6 engine and auto transmission. Today I had to pull over because there was lots of steam coming from the motor and the heat gauge was at red. I stopped, waited for the motor to cooldown a bit and poured in water in to the radiator. The Radiator took a lot of water in, however there is no water leak. I can actually fill the radiator to the top and it stays there. So I start the truck again and within 5 minutes, the engine is overheating and the steam is everywhere. Also when I turn on the heater, I get no heat at all. I was wondering if this points out to a faulty thermostat?

maybe im wrong, but wouldnt this be a symptom of a bad water pump ? you arent losing coolant..you arent getting any heat...but the engine overheats.

I hope its easier to change the water pump, then the starter :cowboy:

 

[RAYnoodle]

mine had this same problem and it was my waterpump. and believe me, its just as hard as the starter to take out lol

 

[LakeRunr]

Suspect thermostat first (stuck closed). This is cheaper and more common. Then look at the water pump.

 

[carl johansson]

I'm betting head gasket! They are losing coolant, just not seeing any signs of a leak,That leads me to suspect the worst!

I hope it's not, but these things do have a well established history! and even if it is waterpump , the process of overheating often pops the head gasket.
Good luck!

 

[markfagus]

I think Carl has it right, after just experiencing this on my truck, I too bet HG

 

[LakeRunr]

It depends on where the steam is coming from. OP said from the "engine", but does that mean the motor, or just generally under the hood? If it's just escaping from the radiator cap, then it's not a HG problem.

 

[jvbutter]

He also said it took lots in the radiator to fill i up??? Yes low level will cause over heating, but it went somewhere....

 

[jayball]

Check for faulty rad cap check cheap stuff first. no rad pressure cause truck to boil premature,