Hey guys im thinkign aboutbuying an 89 4runner. Its an Auto, 3.slow, 185k, typical yota rust, nice interior. Im limited on cash, and its a good deal.

He wants $750 for it, because he said the temp goes up after driving it. I talked on the phone with him, and from my inferences, he doesnt know enough to be taking care of this 4runenr.

He said, "It could be a number of problems. If yo uare lucky, it could be just the thermostat. It could be the timing belt, the water pump, many things. However the Timing belt was just replaced." The he said " Im pretty sure the water pump was replaced too, because as far as i know, the water pump has to be replaced when they replace the timing belt."

I need some professional help here

Im converting from the heep world since my ZJ crapped out and snapped my crank on me

Thanks guys!

Ill post pics when i recieve them shortly.

 

Could you explain the symptoms a bit more?

The temp goes up after driving it? Does this mean that you drive it, it is fine, then you shut it off, and the temp climbs up?

Thanks

 

I just called him back. He said he doesn't drive it much because he got a new truck. The temp does go up while driving it. He said if you left it go for a while he's sure it would get into the warning zone on the guage.

 

Well,

Could be a lot of things.

Bad Thermostat
Bad Radiator
Bad water pump
Timing too far advanced.
Clogged passageways in the block
Low on coolant

The thing with the 3.0, the head gaskets are senstive to overheating. So, if it has been run too hot, it might give you head gasket problems. Some amount of risk there.

 

just did a water pump on a 90 3.0 that had the same problem, you would drive it for about 1-2 miles and it would start overheating, there was a small puddle of water on the ground seemed to be coming from the water pump, got it all apart and the water pump had play in it. changed it and the problem was fixed. I would think if it did not get to hot you would prob be fine to fix a number of those problems, but you may have to take it apart to see if there is any damage from overheating