worst-case scenario? help!

Hello Tacoma World members. I HATE the circumstances prompting me to make this (my first) post but I love this site.

HELP. : ....(please).

My (recently purchased) Tacoma's cooling system was shamefully neglected-(let's skip the details on what kind of stupid I am for making the purchase despite being aware of that fact, OK? Please?)
I 've NEVER seen one as bad as this turned out to be...I shoulda scrapped it as soon as I discovered that the crunching-crackling sound made by the radiator hose when I squeezed it to check its condition was NOT made by aged, brittle rubber- the sound was the fracturing of the 3/8" thick encrustation of solidified rust and gunk on the inside of the hose.
So-hoses changed out, system flushed -6 hours w/hose for water to run clear after chem treat-thermostat replaced-fingers crossed-
I head to Reno to work on my mothers car. Truck overheats, repeatedly. Removed thermostat hoping it'd been jammed w/ debris-or something-.Truck running rough and overheating. Coolant does not appear to be circulating through the system effectively
What IS the worst-case scenario? I'm trying not to go into any more detail here as this post is already too long but this is THE place to ask : What do I look at first? Water pump failure/interference? Chunks of debris blocking the engine block coolant passages?

I made it to Reno, but the Taco-it needs HELP. As do I. Many thanks to those who took the time to read all this and thanks also for any wisdom you care to share.

 

It could be a number of things, How long does it take for the engine to overheat? you could definitely start with the water pump, if it was the problem the engine would overheat pretty quickly.

You could also have a bad cooling fan or the radiator could be clogged with debris, you can check if the thermostat (even if it was replaced, its worth a shot) is working by feeling the upper radiator hose. Once the engine warms up it should become warm. If it does not get hot the thermostat is probably not opening. Your best bet would to probably have someone look at it that knows a lot more about than i do. haha
Good luck.

 

If the coolant is not circulating I would think it's the water pump?

My neighbor is in the process of changing his right now. So far it's been taking a week because he's been doing it a little at a time after work before the sun sets. He's been showing me the process as he goes on.

A lot of work just to get to it. Not trying to scare you, just letting you know what he's going through but his is a 90 Toyota pickup. Good luck.

 

feel the rad see if its hot all over might be plugged u can use cascade dishwasher soap we use it in big trucks to clean it but check the rad for hot or cold spots if the rads bad get a new one

 

If it was that bad most likely after you runned threatement there are things dislodged and clogging things.
Did you replaced radiator? You can always dump all coolant and fill with distilled water. Distilled water will cool better and try to dissolve anything thats still there.
As others point out it could be your radiator (most likely culprit) You can always try to flush radiator backwards to the normal flow.

 

Thanks ALL who replied-I knew I came to the right place for help. You guys ROCK.
sorry bout the double post-not intentional.
I apologise for the delay in replying-I can't use my mom's Internet connection on my laptop so had to drive couple miles to find public access wi-fi to post-got smart today and am using her computer...

4Wheelin4Banger- I pm'ed you. You made my day.

BlueT- nope, haven't replaced radiator tho did stop in Truckee and purchase radiator clean-stuff recommended by counterman at AC Delco Auto Parts. Followed label directions up to where it said "...run engine with heater controls on high for 15 minutes...stop...drain and refill..."etc- the stuff is still in radiator at this moment as I've been working on my mothers' car (the original point of this fun little road trip )
Did I interpret the part in your post about distilled water correctly?-it will dissolve deposits..?

slo13zx3- seriously? do you mean the type that comes in a (green?) box for automatic dishwashers? How much? Do you follow the same steps as if using a radiator flush?
and I never thought to check the rad for hot/cool spots. Checked repeatedly while still on the road for low 'coolant' ( checked over flow, anyways): o-flow consistently full to overflowing w/ more coming in from radiator o-flow tube. Did squeeze upper rad hose- indeterminate result (it just didn't feel 'right')

babytruck- I'm not certain that circulation or lack thereof IS the problem- but it appears that way to me...and yeah, lookin' at where and how the water pump is positioned it looks like NO picnic!!! but hey, I've done worse! Please do update on your neighbors' project.

ChibaChief- upper rad hose felt about lukewarm and not as firm as it seems it should have. and - duh! -I don't recall even looking at the fan to see if it was operational-! (rookie move-thanks for asking cause I completely overlooked it.)
remember, I was 'on the road' yesterday when the latest issues developed- pulled the t-stat in Truckee, put in the rad clean stuff and hit the road again. T-stat still out at present. Truck seemed ok til long upgrades- then temp would climb-but not always, and not consistently.


more questions and suggestions are welcome!

Thanks people!

 

Glad to help.

 

A much-belated e.g. WAAY overdue update on the original post (for any who've read this far and/or encountered similar problems):

replaced the fan clutch in Reno. Truck seemed ok in town...the true test happened on the trip over the Sierras back to Sacramento and ....it failed. Miserably. Once it heated up on the first long upgrade it got progressively worse; I think the trip home took a total of some 4 hours.
The culprit:
the radiator. Bought a new one for (I think) something under $200. Tried following the FSM instructions at first but stopped when I realized that removing the entire front grill assembly just to access two radiator support bolts would be a huge waste of time. I could look through the grill and see the bolts, just couldn't access them because the grill was in the way. My solution was to drill a hole in the plastic grill just enough bigger than the (I think) 10 or 12mm bolts for me to use a socket on a short extension and -voila! Done! Cosmetically, it's unnoticeable to any casual observer-looks like the holes are supposed to be there and saved me (probably) hours. I could post pictures and will do so if asked.

AGAIN, many thanks to all who helped. You guys rock.