New 1st gen owner, some concerns..

There are lots of apps that read OBD scanners as a search of the Android and Apple stores shows.

I use Torque Pro.

 

Important to use a vacuum system to refill.

 

please explain just how that works? I do have my vacuum pump for AC work. Is that what you need to use ?

Then You need a manifold system to draw coolant into the cooling system correct?

I just put a Tee in the highest part of the cooling system fill to coolant comes out .

 

Refresh my memory. Can the thermostat on 1st gen be installed backwards?

 

People manage to do strange things .

I think it would be possible there is enough clearance.

 

I actually found a pic of my 1st gen when I replaced the timing belt. Did the water pump and thermo while I was at it. You can see the 2 openings in the center and middle right.

 

With a belt chirp on start I'd be taking the belts off and spin the water pump by hand to see if there is any resistance. And new parts are not necessarily working parts. Certainly check out the external components before diving into any kind of engine disassembly.

 

I was thinking of the 3.4 the thermostat housing is on the lower left side of the engine that the lower radiator hose is connected to.

I forget the2.7 is so very different.

 

Would be difficult to put in backwards. I don't think there's enough room in the housing.
Found this nice flow diagram while looking around.

 

Now for something completely different......

back to your new truck......I would do a whole front end facelift.

There's a lot going on there.

I would first go in and pull everything out of the way to get to the front of engine.
And then take your time....

Deepest thing is the oil pump cover gasket and the front Harmonic balancer crank seal...
Would clean and check those for leaks.....its not common for the head gasket to leak oil...

but these two and the two above - valve cover gasket or half moons are really only oil sources...


This work is paramount....that dripping oil will cause everything made of rubber under neath to go south.......especially when it gets slung off the harmonic balancer...

 

Then I'd back out and put new ......

new water pump,.....new oem thermostat.

New fan clutch.....and all new hoses/belts....



While your in there wiggle your harmonic balancer and see if there's too much play....
Check front timing cover for cracks or leaks......
Check each pulley, and double check their alignments....
recinch all those front bolts......super careful on the ones that go into aluminum....


On 4 bannngers if egr system has been modified...or worse deleted ....that in itself can cause overheating issues...

 

I'd throw a new water pump at it. They can fail and still not piss. Sounds like everything else in the cooling system has been replaced.

Ol silver taco is on the right track.

Dive in head first. You will figure it out. FSM is your friend.

Pull any codes. Running hot could be a lean condition. Clogged fuel filter weak pump or clogged injectors. If you have good compression that's a good start.

Do NOT run the motor while it is overheating!!!!! If you burped up a bunch of oil you could have warped the head. Check compression again and go from there.

 

Beat me to it!

 

And if you try everything else.....I've got some bad news for you...

intermittent leaks end up not being a head gasket......but but
that sucky cracked head.......
....right in-between two valves.....


do not ever run these engines over heated at all, ever, ....period....full stop.

 

ME thinks abunch here are full of it.....a lot of the toyota oem parts are now made in mexico and china....

with that being said,......engine sensors oem all the way, the other stuff, use you head, do a little research.....


(54) 1997-2001 4RUNNER OIL LEAK REPAIR. 2.7 3RZFE OIL PUMP GASKET REPLACEMENT. - YouTube

 

I've had bad luck with the combustion leak testers. A good way is to use a coolant funnel and let it get hot and see if you get bubbles after bleeding.

 

So I think I fixed it. Tried to get an OEM thermostat but didn’t feel like waiting so picked up a premium Napa one. Pulled the old (new to previous customer) and it was a cheap junker. The jiggle valve was at 9 o’clock. Replaced at 12 o’clock 30 minute job took all day due to a stripped nut on the thermo housing. Finally busted lose with a bolt extractor from Lowe’s. Was about to heat it up with a torch, but that was gonna be last resort. Flushed coolant and put it all back together. Truck didn’t warm up near as quickly as it had before and never once, creeped up. Stayed below mid line the entire time! Drove it on 5 mile circuits twice and it stayed cool. Felt great! Rolled the dice and drove it 30 minutes away to my mother in-laws. Not once did it act up there or back. So for now *fingers crossed* seems fine.

Cleaned the engine some from below and looks like leak may be coming from somewhere near timing chain cover. Big mess. Took off skid plate and it was covered in sludge and years of build up. I guess that’s next. Need to figure out exactly where that is coming from.

So far:

Pressure washed the interior. Was a 2/10. Now a 6/10. I’ll take it!
Tightened alternator. No more squeal on start up!
And the biggest is the themostat job. No over heating right now! (Note that I saw some kind of gasket material or maybe it could have been thread tape in the coolant flush drain pain) God knows what that means.

Now to chase that goddamn oil leak.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

 

This is exactly what I want to do. With my novice skills will be a nightmare. But satisfying when finished. Need to start collecting tools. I had basics to start. Pain in the ass to run to the store 10–20 minutes away for every issue.

What tools should I start collecting now to do this in the near future? Garage is my only level parking spot so gonna have to set that up. Lots of things will need to go together to tackle all of this. But does sound fun!

 

These trucks are kind of a hobby.....so you make a list .....
....and then a short list.

Sort-of a reality game.....

Newer??? Lower ball joint failure | Tacoma World

 

Get some foaming engine cleaner and clean it off real well. Then next oil change see where it's leaking from. You can also get oil dye. For tools I'd just get some basic sockets an electric impact wrenches pliers and other basic tools will get you far. Harbor freight icon is a good bang for buck brand as well as gearwrench.