95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Help! No heat issue, not a basic concern

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 05:43 AM
  #1  
mudjnky's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Help! No heat issue, not a basic concern

I have a 1996 4Runner with the 3.4. We bought it a few months ago and it has no heat. We have covered all the basics and they are good. There is no coolant flow to the heater core. you can run the truck with the hoses disconnected and only a little leaks out. The engine was replaced at some point not too long before we got it. Is there possibly an engine gasket that was installed backwards that is blocking the flow? I am not familiar with these engines and any help is greatly appreciated. A friend suggested that possibly the intake gasket is incorrect, but I'm hoping someone hear can give a definite answer. Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 06:20 AM
  #2  
Green_slime's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: rochester wa
was the engine replaced or rebuilt if replaced i doubt any of the gaskets are installed wrong try cleaning the hoses out they might be clogged
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 06:23 AM
  #3  
Tofer's Avatar
Sponsor
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,173
Likes: 6
From: Puyallup WA.
take a garden hose and flush the whole system....
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 06:42 AM
  #4  
mudjnky's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
The system has been completely flushed, nothing externally is clogged, not sure if the engine was rebuilt or replaced, but probably replaced with a long block

Last edited by mudjnky; Dec 11, 2009 at 06:44 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 07:02 AM
  #5  
Green_slime's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: rochester wa
if it was a long block the chances are slim that the factory screwd up ya it happens but not often does it overheat at all
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 07:14 AM
  #6  
mudjnky's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
It does not overheat, just no coolant flow to to the heater hoses. Even pulled the water pump off to check that and it was ok.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 09:17 AM
  #7  
raydouble's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Washington
I bet the level is low or you have a air bubble.

Open the heater valve, take off the radiator cap, warm up.....add missing coolant.

Are you sure the engine is warming up all the way?

Last edited by raydouble; Dec 11, 2009 at 09:19 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 09:42 AM
  #8  
brian2sun's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 1
From: Lake Arrowhead, CA
Ya, I would guess air bubble or blocked passage. Could be a HG issue - hopefully not.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #9  
FogRunner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
From: Galveston, Texas
Bet way to get air out the cooling system and heater core is to drive the front up on ramps or put it up on jack stands.

Take off the radiator cap and start it up and let it run with the heater on full. Every couple of minutes rev the engine up quickly and that will help jolt the air bubbles out of the system.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the level in the radiator because when that air bubble passes and coolant fills the heater core the radiator can drop a good couple of inches.

I had the same thing happen after I replaced the radiator and t-stat on my 02 runner.

Also be sure to check the heater water valve on the firewall directly in the middle of the firewall above the engine. When you turn on the heater the cable should pull the arm and open the valve. This is a common item to get broken during engine swaps.

FOG

Last edited by FogRunner; Dec 11, 2009 at 09:59 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 10:22 AM
  #10  
mcshurley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have a 92 4runner and the heat stopped working today. The coolant is full, the temp gauge is normal (not over heating) but there was gurgling sound sometimes when I was accelerating.

Any ideas?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #11  
raydouble's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Washington
Originally Posted by mcshurley
I have a 92 4runner and the heat stopped working today. The coolant is full, the temp gauge is normal (not over heating) but there was gurgling sound sometimes when I was accelerating.

Any ideas?
Air pocket in system......where are you leaking from?
or
Clogged heater core.

Originally Posted by raydouble
I bet the level is low or you have a air bubble.

Open the heater valve, take off the radiator cap, warm up.....add missing coolant.

Are you sure the engine is warming up all the way?
Same
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 10:44 AM
  #12  
mcshurley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I don't think its leaking anywhere but I'm also not very car savvy.

How does one fix a clogged heater core?

Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 10:56 AM
  #13  
raydouble's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, Washington
Originally Posted by mcshurley
I don't think its leaking anywhere but I'm also not very car savvy.

How does one fix a clogged heater core?

Thanks
You can try flushing it, but it usually means replacing it.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigjstang
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
21
Jun 2, 2025 03:56 PM
Sleaker
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
17
Aug 26, 2020 06:03 AM
tj884Rdlx
Newbie Tech Section
25
Aug 28, 2015 12:04 PM
Poncho0206
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
3
Jul 10, 2015 06:21 PM
Coreyr384
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
Jul 10, 2015 11:13 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:20 AM.