95 V6 3.4L Overheats

Truck blew a head gasket. Head gasket replaced, heads sent to a shop(good), radiator, thermostat, waterpump, fan clutch, hoses all replaced. Was told change the thermostat. Replaced with thermostat from toyota with same result. Mechanic insists the gasket is on correctly. Yes all this was done at a shop. Drives fine with no thermostat which is how i drove it for a week until I got the new Toyota thermostat. After putting in new thermostat same problem as before over heating driving it, but not at idle. So I try bleeding it more and turning on the heater. The heater never blows warm air let alone hot air, and while the heater is on it overheats at idle, which is wasnt doing before. Not sure if that can cause a truck to over heat

Upper radiator hose has pressure and gets hot, same with lower. That thermostat would have been the 4th tried. Taking back to the mechanic but was wondering if anyone here would have any idea. Thx.

 

I would start with radiator, doesn't sound like it's working properly

 

if you aren't getting hot air through the vents.. almost sounds like a restriction at or near the heater core. Maybe try a good flush?

 

Radiator is brand new and the hoses as well, and as mentioned it runs fine or a little lower temp without thermostat.

Would a clog at the heater core cause engine overheat? And if so why wouldnt it affect it when there was no thermostat.

 

New Radiator Cap??

Just which Radiator always possible factory defect !!

Have you figured the cause of the over heating that caused the head gasket failure ??

How is the coolant level in the over flow tank is it expanding and contracting with the temperature changes??

Just what is the temperature measuring when it starts to get hot. Infrared heat gun is great for troubling shooting over temp problems

Access to a scanner to get real time temperature readings

 

Tried the cap that came with the radiator, as well as the one off the radiator that was on it before with same result. Im not sure what caused the head gasket issue to begin with except possible faulty hose leaking radiator fluid as it had just started getting hot around here Im not 100% sure.

It gets hot enough to head straight for the red after 1 minute of driving, but never makes the needle to half when thermostat is out after running it for 30 minutes driving around.

 

I don't know, but the lack of heat coming from the vents sounds quite odd to me.

 

To me as well. No leaking that I saw on the passenger side, but I also dont remember the last time I used the heater before I blew the head gasket.

 

Was the water pump changed or just the fan bracket ??

If the water pump was changed could the timing be off from when they put the timing belt back on??

Which could make it run hotter just enough to work without the thermostat installed.

Just a thought

 

Yes water pump and timing belt were changed out. Hmm have to give this a look. Thx.

 

You have to remember, all overheating problems can be divided in two parts to start troubleshooting problems. Airflow & Waterflow.

1. Does it overheat at idle?
But not at 55 or over.
If yes, start your search by examining air flow, (ie, blocked radiator fins, plastic bag, leaves & bugs etc.)

Or, 2. Does it idle at normal temp. but overheat at 55 mph or so?

1. Would suggest airflow is blocked somehow.
Fan clutch is failing.


2. Would suggest airflow is fine but possibly water flow/circulation problem. The motor isn't working hard at idle. But freeway driving makes it work harder.
Also look at dragging brakes.
Forgetting to air up tires after off roading.
Bad sealing radiator cap.

Remember to change motor oil after coolant overheats, as oil loses is lube properties.

Removing the thermostat can make an engine overheat, as the coolant circulates too fast, and doesn't have time to slow down and dissipate heat to the radiator.

 

Thx for your help guys, but I found the issue. My friend found the issue on identifix and the mechanic is coming to pick it up today. The issue being they put the head gasket on backwards. Identifix said too check the corners for any gasket hanging out which means its in backwards, and here what I found.


The piece sticking out with two holes is gasket as I can bend it with my finger.

 

Mother effin incompetent shops. Blows my mind how they stay in business. They better not try and make you pay any additional money

 

"insists he put it on correctly"

yeah okay.

 

Glad you got it figured out.

The scary part is what else might be wrong