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Oily coolant, no heat, low engine temp - please help!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Snowman34, Dec 1, 2016.

  1. Dec 1, 2016 at 1:28 PM
    #1
    Snowman34

    Snowman34 [OP] New Member

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    Miles
    Spokane WA
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    Bone stock
    I need some advice on how to tackle my coolant circuit problems, including:
    -oil in my coolant (small amount of frothy oil at the top of the radiator and in expansion tank)
    -small amount of oily coolant splattering out of radiator cap
    -zero heat coming out of the heater (went from being weak to useless recently)
    -low engine running temps (the gauge reads about 1/5 of the way up from C when fully warm - although it jumps up to halfway for a bit if I shut it off to get gas then start it back up)

    I have had the truck for about 20k of the 230k miles and aside from these issues it runs perfectly. When I bought it in January, the PO said he had just gotten a blown head gasket fixed, and done the timing belt and water pump. So my first guess on all these problems is that the head gasket wasn't done correctly or the mechanic cut corners and missed a cracked or warped head. I'm hoping this is not the issue as it would cost big money to replace and goes a bit beyond my mechanical skills to do myself (I've done an engine swap, and plenty of other mechanical projects but have never done internal engine work).

    I have replaced the thermostat and flushed the coolant to try to fix it, about 4k miles ago but the issue came right back, then the heater broke more recently. The coolant was somewhat nasty and brownish (was perfectly clean and green when I bought it), but the only real bad oil was at the top of the radiator. Here is a pic of the nasty crap and splattering:
    upload_2016-12-1_13-19-51.jpg

    Any ideas on what is going on here? I am thinking the oily funk might have clogged up the heater core, and maybe is clogging up the cooling passages in the engine causing the temp sensor to read incorrectly...that or the HG blew again. I'm wondering if I should have a leakdown test done.

    I have ordered a new heater core and plan on swapping that out this weekend to see if there is oil back there too.

    Seeing as I am moving to Montana in a couple weeks and it's going to be colder than a witches tit in a brass bra, I need to get this fixed. Any insight into what is going on or advice on what I should do to fix the problem or investigate it further would be much appreciated!
     
  2. Dec 1, 2016 at 1:38 PM
    #2
    CodeSeven

    CodeSeven LOC: 33.781461, -115.867251

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    First, do compression checks. that should get you started. then you do pressure checks. you pressurize each chamber, by putting a tool in place of the spark plug and hooked up to a compressor, when it's piston is at or nearing the bottom of the stroke when the valves are closed. if you have any cylinder under, i think, 145 psi, you should hear or see air coming out of either the radiator cap, intake, oil filler, or exhaust. youre looking for air coming out of the radiator though.

    if compression checks out and none of these are the issue, I would inspect the oil cooler in the engine, and the transmission oil cooler on the radiator. see if they're leaking.

    if everything still checks out, you may have a crack in the head, block, or a bad install on the head gasket.

    major engine work really isn't something you do by the way. that's something you let a machine shop handle. they have the tools and equipment to check out engines.
     
    OneWheelPeel likes this.
  3. Dec 1, 2016 at 2:50 PM
    #3
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

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    What does the oil look like? Check the transmission fluid for antifreeze.
     
  4. Dec 1, 2016 at 5:05 PM
    #4
    Snowman34

    Snowman34 [OP] New Member

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    I have a friend with compression/pressure testing gear so I will give that a shot.

    To test for leaks on the engine oil cooler would I drain the oil, take the unit off, and pressurize the coolant system somehow? See if there is any leakage?

    [​IMG]

    The oil is clean. Since the truck has a manual trans I don't think there could be any contamination between the trans fluid and antifreeze. It's my understanding that the trans fluid only runs through the radiator in autos, and maybe trucks with the tow package, which I do not have.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2016 at 5:32 PM
    #5
    DrZ

    DrZ Well-Known Member

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    If the head gasket is blown, it will blow air into the coolant and the bubbles end up in the heater core. That would explain the low heater output. Do the compression/leakdown test to check first thing.
     
  6. Dec 1, 2016 at 5:50 PM
    #6
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

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    You may want to add manual tranny to your profile

    You will have to take the oil cooler off to check it. Plug one end, supply air to other end, spay with soapy water
     
  7. Dec 1, 2016 at 6:36 PM
    #7
    Snowman34

    Snowman34 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the tip - added.

    I will give the compression and pressure checks a go this weekend.

    Any ideas on why the temp is reading low? I thought when the HG blows, the car usually overheats.
     
  8. Dec 1, 2016 at 6:45 PM
    #8
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

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    Magnuson Kompressor, OME lift kit, JBA Headers, junky Sony radio.
    I would personally.....check the heater hoses going into the firewall to the heater core for heat. No heat. Engine issue/plugged heater core.
    It could be a faulty thermostat.
     

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