I've tried all kinds of search strings but everything goes back to headgaskets in one form or another.

Scenario: Driving down a flat stretch of road. Hear a sound... like if you cut the tip off of an air hose connected to a compressor. Mere moments later temp guage starts rising QUICKLY. I see parking lot (no shoulder on this road whatsoever), temp gets into the red for about... 30 seconds. I slam AUTO trans into neutral and shut the engine off, coast about 30 yards into parking lot.

It's dark, and it's cold-ish, about 30f. I lift the hood, some boiling noise coming from the coolant overflow but it ends in, maybe 2 minutes. I look down and the engine is PUKING antifreeze from somewhere on the front of the engine, above the crank pulley. I really couldn't see where it was coming from but I think it's the water pump maybe? I have heard a little screaming/squealing from that area but I chalked it up to be a belt. I've only been hearing this noise for a few weeks or so, very intermittent.

Can a water pump puke anti freeze like a garden hose? It definitely wasn't coming out of a hose or the radiator. It was like the front of the engine just threw up!

Any help is good help. Thank you guys in advance....

 

I forgot to add... rebuilt 3vze with around 70k, due for a timing belt at this point, probably overdue when it comes down to it. I'm not sure of what components they used as I just have paperwork from the previous owner that shows proof of the drop in rebuilt engine.

 

One of the hoses? or the outlet in the center of the motor that attaches to the top radiator hose? Unless the wp has a nasty leak, i can't imagine it leaking like a hose.

 

Water pump is under the timing belt cover as well. As is the outlet going to the radiator.

 

When my water pump finally seized (after two weeks of the squealing noise) it puked coolant pretty good. Not exactly sure from where, but it was coming from around the water pump. After I replaced the water pump, the leak was fixed!

 

Yeah unless you are sure the fluid was spraying and you saw the source of the spray.. I would say waterpump from your description.. Loosen and move the belt and play with the pully.. if it is quiet and smooth and straight.. it may still be good.. but if it doesn't turn, makes scratchy sounds, isn't straight etc.. then most likely it's water pump. It's pretty easy to loosen and move the belt.

Otherwise.. there are a myriad of hoses that can be the cause

 

I've had your exact situation. To me it sounds like your water pump and when you're in there timing belt would be a good idea.

 

Sounds good everybody. I'm pretty sure it wasn't either of the hoses but I'll get a better look tomorrow. I didn't have a flashlight and it was freezing and getting dark fast so I just had it towed to my work.

Is the water pump ran by the timing belt?

Thanks for the hints everyone!

 

Yes, it is.

If you need a full timing belt kit, check out AirCabinMan on eBay. Top notch kits at excellent prices.

 

Also, is there any way of knowing whether I need the hydraulic tensioner or the spring tensioner before I tear it apart? I have a mechanic friend who is going to do the t-belt for me and I'd like to have all the right parts.

Parts list: T-belt kit with idler, tensioner and belt. Water pump. Thermostat and two new hoses. Anything else I should get?

 

While you may not want to buy this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OEM-Complete-Timing-Belt-Water-Pump-Kit-Toyota-3-0L-V6-4Runner-Truck-/120794726938?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1fed421a&vxp=mtr#ht_1860wt_721, it gives a list of what I would do plus a new crank bolt from the dealer and new upper and lower radiator hoses.

 

'94 uses hydraulic tensioner see here and here.

 

Thank you! The OEM kit is a little rich for my blood as I plan on selling this and my 88 $runner in the next few months and upgrading to a taco.

Great info

 

Are you going to source parts through the local parts house?

 

I believe i did mine for a little under 350 using Rock Auto and the dealership, but my 91 has the spring tensioner, not the hydraulic, so it may be cheaper.

 

O'Reilly has a kit from the Gates Rubber company I was thinking about getting. Probably go with Rock Auto on the water pump. I don't want to throw too much money at a truck I don't plan on keeping but I also don't want to drop a complete piece of crap into somebody's lap when I sell it to them. Still deciding what route to go....