t stat or heater core?

88T4RE

88T4RE

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hey guys! I am the proud owner of a 88 t4r v6 I was wondering if someone could help me diagnose a problem. When i bought the truck I noticed the temp gauge didnt work. I recently took the cluster out to replace some bulbs. at the same time i gave it a bit of a clean, viola the temp gauge works guess it was stuck. my first question is : the temp gauge usually floats around 40% is this normal operating temp? my other problem is I get no heat through my heater at all after 10mins or so it feels a little warmer although i may just be imagining things thats how subtle it is. the truck never overheats so Im leaning towards heater core if anyone could lend some advice that would be great!
Cheers!
 
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No heat means no coolant flow thru the core, could be:
clogged
air pocket
heat control valve on firewall is not moving to Heat position
 
Last edited:
fourwd1 said:
heat control valve on firewall is moving to Heat position
Click to expand...

Start here.

Theses trucks use a bypass valve that closes off coolant to the heater core when the temp control is at the 'cold' setting. Both my 4runners have had these get stuck. It's inside the hood on the firewall, right in the center. You'll see about 1 1/2" hose pop up with a valve with a cable attached.

I've noticed my heat isn't as hot as I expected it (or remembered it from my old t4r)... I'm thinking of going with a hotter thermostat.
 
thanks guys! I knew I could rely on the fine people on this site the other toy forums I tried were useless I should have known this seems to be the place for good help with gen 1's...Ill post back with the results...
Cheers!:cheers:
 
ok so i checked the bypass valve seems to be operational at least the cable thats attached is all the way out when set to cold all the way in when set to hot. anyways it looks to be working...I checked the rad and the fluid levels are way low and theres nothing in the resevior Im not leaking coolant anywhere is it that there is a huge air bubble in there? I flushed the coolant when i bought the truck 3 months ago and it was full to the neck on the rad...its gotta be air in the system?
Cheers!:pimp::fro:
 
When you go to top off the radiator, either park on an incline with the nose pointed up or jack up the front end to gain some tilt. Air will travel uphill and end up getting pushed out by the water entering the system, the air will vent out of the radiator at the cap. Now, when you have the radiator full you should idle the engine untill the thermostat opens, now turn the heat on full blast and while idling and cycle the heat settings from defrost to vents. Then switch to cold and cycle the vents again. At this time keep and eye on your coolant level at the radiator and top off as needed you do not want it to get too low while you do this or you enter more air in the system. In some cases I have noticed that some air will still be trapped in the system, what you can do in this situation is let everything cool off then crack your radiator cap slightly, not loose but not all the way tight either. Now drive around until you reach normal operating temp and then tighten the cap back down. This has pretty much always worked for me, i hate air in my cooling systems and will fight it tooth and nail.
 
Best way too refill your radiator is to turn the heater to full heat and just keep filling the rad slowly. It's best to have the car running so the thermostat opens this is the only way you will get all the air out of the system. As the water will only run through the full extent of the system if these 2 are open.
 
update I tried the refilling on a hill, got some hot air coming through the heater now but Im getting a bit of a loping idle so Im gonna assume theres still some air in there gonna give roboats method a try to get the rest out, just to be completely clear am I to bring her to idle with the cap off the rad keeping an eye and topping up?
Cheers
 
Yes, keep the radiator cap off while you are idling, heat on and top off as needed. The loping idle could be because of air in the system playing with the temp sender. Don't forget to top off your overflow canister when you are done.
 
that would explain things cuz the temp gauge is working on and off too
Cheers guys I appreciate the help :banana:
 
I've never had any problem getting the air out of the system by warming up the engine with the radiator cap off and the heat on hot... adding coolant as needed.
 
I seem to have gotten it all out...is there a heater core under the heater in the armrest? Im only getting slightly warm air out of it?
 
Good job, I know there is a blower motor under your armrest/console if you have rear heat, where/if there is another core for that one I do not know.
 
ok so Ive tracked down a leak I dont know why i didnt notice it before it appears to be dripping onto the top of the oil filter? what could this be? waterpump gasket? Im watching it drip off the oil filter as I type this its a slow leak but would definitely explain some tings, any idea's?
Cheers!:beer:
 
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