I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma with a 2rz-fe engine. It has 334,000 miles on it. On the way to work two days ago, I noticed all of a sudden that the heater was blowing cold air. I then noticed the temp gauge was pretty high. The area is somewhat rural.

I made a turn down a steeper road, up-shifted which ran the revs up, and the temp gauge almost red-lined in a heartbeat. I managed to pull in to a construction sight. The overflow tank was dry! I wandered around until I found a hose, then drove over and filled the overflow tank and even put a little in the radiator. It ran fine the rest of the way to work and all the way home (35 miles and 2500 foot climb). It ran fine on the way to work yesterday, but when almost home had the same symptoms as the first time.

No white smoke from the tail pipe. No coolant splattered around the engine.

Does this seem like a water pump problem? Or even a radiator cap problem? Is the weep hole visible anywhere? I haven't been able to locate it.

Thanks for your time.

 

Was the expansion tank dry again?

 

Yes. Well, it was almost dry again.

It also has an oil leak which is hitting the exhaust manifold.

What's next?

 

I would check to see if the expansion tank is leaking - old plastic ya know.

 

Will do. But I don't think so. I filled it again last night and it is still full. But I don't know where that coolant is going. No steam out of the tail pipe.

 

Didn't know that. How old is your rad cap? Have you tested it?

 

Nope, not test yet. But no coolant all over the engine.

I think I'll have a beer and think about it some more tomorrow.

Thanks for your replies.

 

A hairline crack in the radiator that only opens/leaks when heated up?