96 4Runner Overheating but not really

96ToyotaWoes · 09-10-2004, 08:58 AM

Hi,

I have an issue was my car lately. It's been in the shop 3 times this week and the problem has not been solved. The temp guage creeps up beyond the 1/2 way point after about 1/2 hour of driving whether on local roads/bumper to bumper traffic or 60+ miles per hour on highway. After pulling over for 10 minutes, the car is fine to go. The temp drops back down to normal. If the car is indeed overheating, how can I possibly drive it after pulling over for 10 minutes? I had the temp guage replaced twice, radiator flushed and cleaned out. My next move will be to replace the sensor. I don't know what else to do.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

Rick F. · 09-10-2004, 09:36 AM

What about the obvious stuff like replacing the thermostat, power flushing the system (not just the radiator), fan clutch, checking for hoses collapsing...

PoBoy · 09-10-2004, 09:41 AM

When it starts to over heat...Turn on the heater on full blast and see if it goes down...it should. If it doesnt, then it could just be the sensor. It it does go down...then yeah, you're overheating.

Steveh29 · 09-10-2004, 09:48 AM

I had a similar problem and it ended up being the radiator. The faster I went the hotter it would get. Then at rest, the car would cool down fairly quickly. The radiator was clogged and not able to dump the heat. Be sure there's nothing blocking the radiator vanes or clogging airflow. Also check to see no weatherstripping or shrouds used to duct air into the radiator are missing.

fromjeeptotoyota · 09-10-2004, 08:36 PM

try replacing the radiator,water pump, and thermostat
most common problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveh29

I had a similar problem and it ended up being the radiator. The faster I went the hotter it would get. Then at rest, the car would cool down fairly quickly. The radiator was clogged and not able to dump the heat. Be sure there's nothing blocking the radiator vanes or clogging airflow. Also check to see no weatherstripping or shrouds used to duct air into the radiator are missing.

96ToyotaWoes · 10-08-2004, 09:42 AM

Well I ended up changing the radiator. It was 80% clogged. Not happy about the $$ I've spent to fix this problem. Now, the thermostat is always at the half way mark but doesn't go beyond that. That's a good thing but I do not recall my car running that hot, ever. The thermostat is usually a little below the half way mark. Does it sound like my problem has been fixed once in for all? Or should I bring it back and have it re-checked? Thanks for all your help.

lee · 10-08-2004, 09:57 AM

mine is almost always at the half, not really above or below.

MTL_4runner · 10-08-2004, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96ToyotaWoes

Well I ended up changing the radiator. It was 80% clogged. Not happy about the $$ I've spent to fix this problem. Now, the thermostat is always at the half way mark but doesn't go beyond that. That's a good thing but I do not recall my car running that hot, ever. The thermostat is usually a little below the half way mark. Does it sound like my problem has been fixed once in for all? Or should I bring it back and have it re-checked? Thanks for all your help.

If your radiator was that plugged you might consider changing the thermostat and waterpump as well if you really want to be absolutely sure everything is functioning 100% (also check for any blocked hoses and such too). Mine stays just below the halfway mark but it will depend on what part of the country you live in too.

09-10-2004, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rick F. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Far western Kentucky (transplanted from central PA) Posts: 1,063	What about the obvious stuff like replacing the thermostat, power flushing the system (not just the radiator), fan clutch, checking for hoses collapsing... __________________ '00 SR5, Desert Dune: 4" Deckplate, Amsoil TS-115, Bilsteins, Brembo rotors w/Performance Friction pads, Fiam Highway Blasters, Sylvania Silverstars, Hella Micro DE Fog Lights w/Hella Yellow Star Lamps - SOLD 1/24/09 '08 Sport, Salsa Red: Hella Optilux fogs, Silverstar Ultra Hi beams. Pending: Borla dual catback, CAI, shocks

09-10-2004, 09:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
PoBoy Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,000	When it starts to over heat...Turn on the heater on full blast and see if it goes down...it should. If it doesnt, then it could just be the sensor. It it does go down...then yeah, you're overheating. __________________ So I sold my '96 4Runner to get married...I was sad. BUT NOT ANY MORE! Check out my 1985 4Runner with 32,xxx miles! PoBoyTech.Net

09-10-2004, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Steveh29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 726	I had a similar problem and it ended up being the radiator. The faster I went the hotter it would get. Then at rest, the car would cool down fairly quickly. The radiator was clogged and not able to dump the heat. Be sure there's nothing blocking the radiator vanes or clogging airflow. Also check to see no weatherstripping or shrouds used to duct air into the radiator are missing. __________________ Steve 1995 4Runner - V6 - 5 Speed Rear ARB, Manual Hubs, Front TruTrac, Marlin Transmission, ARB Front & Sonoran Steel Rear bumpers that have saved my life!!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
85 4runner overheating.. HOW???	9-Hood	84-85 Trucks & 4Runners	6	12-17-2005 08:15 AM
96-96 4runner turn signals as Daytime Running lights??	ASU4runner	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	1	04-07-2005 11:03 PM
86 4Runner overheating	pruney81	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	1	02-03-2005 10:39 PM
4Runner overheating	Dez	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	6	02-09-2003 03:49 PM

10-08-2004, 09:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
96ToyotaWoes Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2	Well I ended up changing the radiator. It was 80% clogged. Not happy about the $$ I've spent to fix this problem. Now, the thermostat is always at the half way mark but doesn't go beyond that. That's a good thing but I do not recall my car running that hot, ever. The thermostat is usually a little below the half way mark. Does it sound like my problem has been fixed once in for all? Or should I bring it back and have it re-checked? Thanks for all your help.

10-08-2004, 09:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	mine is almost always at the half, not really above or below.