So I bought this 3.0 a few months ago. 197k on it now. A ton of maintenance into it. Its been fun. I have dumped money into her so far and it has been fun but today, well..... she took a nasty turn.
A small gargle/knock started as I pulled into the driveway at home. Was pretty mild so I decided I would drive three miles to the Dealership and leave it for Monday. (Why the dealer ? because they were close and Im sad to say in my town I have not found a place I trust for decent work that doesn't charge what they charge and with the others who knows what parts I get... But thats another topic) Well 1 mile (of the three I had to cover) A terrible squeal and smell (burning) started. Seemed to be affected by acceleration. So I pulled over and decided to have it towed. I popped the hood and noticed a bit of oil on the valve cover on the drivers side. This also seems to be the side that the gargle started on. So Im sure whatever could go bad has gone bad. Any ideas on what this may be ? No Check Engine Light. Even continued to drive but the belt like squeal continued to get worse. Oil Pressure remained on point. Not a drop of anything under the vehicle.

Any input appreciated. I have researched here a bit and have seen everything from headgaskets to burnt valves.

On the positive side I was taking the truck to West Texas Thurs. Having this break down 2 miles from Toyota was way better than over a mountain 15 miles from the nearest paved road and 200 miles from the nearest major city. I was going through the steering components next because I wanted too. Now I am doing this because I have too. O well pay to play. I just hope they dont call me and tell me ... "Shes gone ! "

On another note I sent an inquiry to Toyota Corporate last week asking if they would cover the head gasket issues on my vehicle since they had never been done under the Special Service Campaign. I was told pretty much "let us know when it happens and we will see". This is what I get for talking about it.

 

Might have had a bearing go bad causing the squeal and smells. That in it's self is not that expensive if you can do the work. Good Luck.

 

 

 

 

Have a look at the radiator fan clutch bearing bracket. If it is still original it may have seen it's better day. It can put off an nasty sequel when the bearing is going bad. It can seize and cause the belt to burn thru.

 

 

 

 

Glad you got it figured out and reported back as to what the problem was.

cheers

 

 

 

Aftermarket Denso seems to be holding out for me here, going on 3 yrs.

Not sure for your particular rad mounting/supports but on my Honda, I had to use some spare rubber bushings to help secure in place, as the dimensions were slightly smaller than the original. Without them, they would rattle and vibrate their way to cracks in no time.

So with aftermarket, may have to do some modification. But they work, depends really.

 

I just took mine to a radiator shop and had it rotted ( cleaned) out. Cost me 75 dollars and weeks time.

 

 

 

Ha! Hoses go bad much faster than a radiator ever could.

Yes. Do this.

 

The CSF radiators are pretty good. My only complaint is the drain cock and how it seals with a rubber washer. The OEM design is better but the CSF design does the job just fine. I have one on my 1987 two-wheel drive Truck that has lasted nine years so far.

I agree with replacing the hoses, especially if oil has been sitting on them as the swell up and deteriorate faster.

 

^^^ohh yes.

Replaced rad on mine, thought cleaning off oil from heater return hose would suffice....few weeks later, bursts a hole where soft and thinned and a tow ride home.

Visually doesnt cut hose inspection. Feel those walls for thinning in localized spots. Mine was not bulging at the time so it looked ok.