I had the issue in my '90 4runner where the idle was bouncing up and down, especially when the brake was applied. I turned down the idler screw, and it went away today.

But as this "issue" was going on, it started to overheat like it never has before. I never drove it prolonged while it was getting hot, but at one point it got hot enough for the gauge to get just below the red. I got it home and didnt use it for two days after that. The needle wasnt pinned for hours or anything... it was maybe a 15 minute drive, and by the time it got in my driveway it was that hot.

After I turned down the idler screw today, I checked my oil. It was quite low so I topped it up.

I then realised my radiator had this thick cream color gel on the inside of the cap. I can also see it on the inside of the radiator.

Is this caused from heat? blown head gasket?

My oil was not a milky color when I checked.

What could this be?

Thanks

 

Oil is low, Overheating because of lack of coolant going thru headgasket. Creaming up in radiator. Another blown HG victim.

 

Sounds like a head gasket to me , the white color would indicate oil being mixed with your water.

 

I agree and would like to say.......

Step right up!!!!!! You are the newest member of the BHG club.......


If it is not blown now then it will be going to the full on blow out soon ....or it was just done and whom ever did the replacement work did not clean and flush the cooling system....run a compression and that will tell you if the above stament is correct or not.........

 

I third or fourth the "blown head gasket" diagnosis, been there, done that.
p.s. guys, I NEED help, check out my "squish" post.

 

okay, cool. Not cool, but at least I know.

There was no steaming anywhere that I could see. Does it always steam when its a HG?

 

It'll only steam if water is getting in the combustion chamber and going out the exhaust - or water is escaping from the engine block under the hood. Looks like you have an oil passage to coolant passage blow so it may not steam in a visible location.

 

Not all the time.
Call Toyota to see if you're still covered for the head gasket warranty. Mid 90's is still good (SSC V-06)