simpsoap

About a year ago I had the heads machined and installed all new goodies like a water pump, head gasket, radiator, etc, etc.....

recently I've noticed that the temp gauge will jump all over the place the something is bad or there is an issue. Well the past couple of days it has been like 95+ degrees here so I've been running the A/C. When I got home today I noticed that the coolant was burning. Could there be air trapped in the line? Head gasket issue already? It never gets to the red, and when it starts moving past the middle I turn the A/C off and just roll the windows down.

ideas?

Andy

toyota4x4907

-Incorrectly mixed coolant. Need at least 50/50. Use a 70(anti-freeze)/30(distilled water) mix for extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures.
-a leak somewhere letting pressure out. Waters boiling point increases as the pressure increases, hence why the cooling system is under pressure.
-Head gasket(s) is/are letting combustion gases into the cooling system, both introducing heat and leaking pressure.

Is there white smoke ever? Loss of power? check the spark plugs- are they wet/damp? Are any of them unreasonably clean?

yoterr

exactly what he said ^ ide get an electric fan too, just cause, and a 180* thermostat

myyota

It could be anything from a bad thermostat to a plugged radiator.

simpsoap

Could there be air in the radiator? No white smoke, no loss of power. Haven't had a chance to check spark plugs.

I replaced the thermostat when i did the heads and gasket late last year. I guess I could drain the coolant and add new.

Do you think the head gasket is fine?

Should I look into replacing with a new thermostat? Is there an easy DIY for the thermostat?

Andy

xxxtreme22r

I've seen new thermostats not work. I would try that first and drive yourself up onto a set of ramps to the the front end in the air and bleed the system real good. Also a Toyota dual stage thermostat is probably a good idea as well.

simpsoap

is there a DIY to bleed the system? I'm assuming I need to go to the dealer for a dual stage Themo?

A

SiKSe$$

Same here I just replaced the radiator, hoses, and gasket...but left out the thermostat until I can find a replacement? Any suggestion on cooling fans makes or models (4cyl.)? websites/online stores? Do I need the shroud (currently not running one)? or clutch fan (any issues if removed)?

MidnightRider

could also be a bad radiator cap

pruney81

I think he has the 3VZE so he wouldn't need a dual stage thermostat. My bet is on the head gaskets are leaking again, this is the 3VZE we're talking about here. If there was air in the system you probably would've noticed long before now since you said the work was done 1 year ago

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

if the head gasket is leaking combustion gasses into the cooling system just pick up a "sniffer" tester for it at a local auto parts store. It starts with a blue liquid that is hooked up to the radiator and pulls in gasses from it via a vacuum line. if the fluid turns bright green you have a combustion leak via the head gasket or a cracked head that's letting gasses into your coolant system. Test kit is around 40 or 50 bucks if i remember correctly. you might be able to rent one from an auto parts store as well. Another idea is get a pressure tester to check the coolant system for leaks while you at it to see if there's any extra pressure relieved from parts unknown. How's your fan clutch? make sure it's in tip top shape as well (ask me how i know)! When one of my head gaskets blew i still had full power but the coolant would boil over into the res. when ever i would put a load on the engine. The fan clutch was the cause by not keeping the motor cool when idling. The head gasket was the result.