Worried it's my had gaskets
- Thread starter zwalker16
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Check your oil. If it is the head gasket, you'll either have coolant in your oil, oil in your coolant, or coolant in your exhaust in the form of a sweet smelling white smoke.
No signs of oil in coolant or coolant in the oil. Tranny has a separate cooler. The reason I think it's the hg is because when I open the radiator and rev the motor coolant level with rise and over flow out the radiator. That's the only sign I'm getting. No smoke in exhaust either.
Jeremiah James
Junior Member
Also check under the oil cap for a milky or any moisture looking stuff other then oil.
Oil shows no signs of coolant
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
That almost seems like a blockage, like the water pump is pushing fluid but little is going back in. Thermostat ever been replaced? Although a bad thermostat would cause it to overheat.
If you have any way to hook up a code reader of sorts that can read data, the temp gauge doesn't actually start to move until it hits about 220 degrees, which is WAY too hot. You might actually be overheating but not knowing it unless you go crawling or drive low speeds under load like towing for a long time. I recently hit 230 due to a malfunctioning fan and the gauge was only slightly past halfway. To hit the red you'd basically have fried your coolant.
LittleCaesar
New member
Radiator cap original?
thegipper
New member
I just went through this with my truck. Dye test was worthless, passed every time I checked it.
Cooling system pressure test also passed. Oil was clean.
Do a leak down test, it's the best way to know for sure if you have a bad HG. My problem was with cylinder #3. Once I started bringing up the pressure with the leak down gauge, bubbles started coming out of the radiator. Mine never overheated either...
Good luck!
Cooling system pressure test also passed. Oil was clean.
Do a leak down test, it's the best way to know for sure if you have a bad HG. My problem was with cylinder #3. Once I started bringing up the pressure with the leak down gauge, bubbles started coming out of the radiator. Mine never overheated either...
Good luck!
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Dang. Sucks man. I just rebuilt this truck and now it hurts to see it messing up. What are your plans? I'm debating whether to rebuild the motor or replace it with donor or just go all out with a V8
thegipper
New member
I already had a complete donor truck that I bought from a member on here. His 99 SR5 got totaled last year and he sold it to me for cheap.
I already used the transmission (original reason why I bought it) and now I'll be using the motor. I already started the swap.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/252872-engine-swap-journey-begins.html
I already used the transmission (original reason why I bought it) and now I'll be using the motor. I already started the swap.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/252872-engine-swap-journey-begins.html
Kanoe
New member
I don't mean to insult your skills, not at all, but someone has to ask..
You didn't fill the overflow tank up to the full line when cold did you? This will overflow it once it warms up. just asking.
Lol..I know my way around a engine. But none taken. I haven't touched my coolant since the new belt was put in back around Christmas. This weekend I notice it spewing out all down frame and uca. Reservoir was empty and about 2" low from the radiator cap.
thecole1098
New member
Hopefully mine is not suffering either. I too notice that my hoses are pressurized when the engine is at operating temp. I've always figured that's just because it is a pressurized system, which is why the cap is rated for that. However my coolant level has been fine.
Keep us updated on what you find.
I checked my other 4runner and the lines will have pressure. The rad is at 15 psi and the line were pliable. My 3rd gen are way over pressure. To the point where I can't squeeze them.
