PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Not a terrible idea honestly.

 

I just love that truck so much though, and I cannot buy the Ridgeline without assistance from my parents right now...

 

Head gaskets rust internally over time/use/mileage. Typically between pistons or where the coolant flows through the head. Theres some holes in head have coolant and some oil run through them if the gasket fails at one point, it will get coolant in oil or oil in coolant. Also thats how coolant leaks into pistons and out the exhaust

 

Tough call, your truck is worth fixing regardless of what you ultimately decide to do.

 

I could put a new engine in the truck and it would be cheaper than a whole new truck.

 

No idea

 

Remember the oil usage problem? I was just chatting with @ColoradoTJ and he believes the head gasket might be shot based on symptoms. Luckily, it isn't causing coolant to seep into the oil.

 

I had an accord that had similar symptoms. I ran the heater on the way to work. On the way home shortly after getting on the freeway, I noticed the temperature gauge pegged hot. Turned the heater on, no hot air. By the time I got to the next off ramp, it was normal again. So I proceeded home. Let it cool, opened the radiator cap, added about 1/2 gallon. Checked for leaks, called it good. Got to work the next day, coolant was gushing from a cracked radiator end tank hose barb. Stuck in a cheap auto parts store radiator, problem solved.

I think what happened is when I ran the heat on the way to work, I hadn’t run it all summer, maybe the heater core had a big air pocket in it. Then the radiator decided break the next day, unrelated to the air pocket. Dunno.

 

Don’t start thinking the worst. Try to be optimistic, maybe one of the simplest of problems.

 

So there could be an internal radiator leak?

 

I'm hoping simple enough that my mechanic can fix it in time for me drive it to Massachusetts...

 

First off, take a step back and try to calm down. No need to make any rash decisions.

Remember your truck is getting up there in years and mileage. Issues are going to happen.

Continue doing research, take it to the mechanic, then go from there.

Or, go buy a nice used Corolla to drive if/when the truck is broken

 

End tank hose barb is what the radiator hose attaches to. One big one for hot coolant in, another for cooled coolant out.

 

I’m sure your mechanic, who sounds trustworthy, will be able to tell in a very short diagnostic time what’s the issue.

 

Most common cause of no heat is a low coolant level.. sounds like it's low enough to cause an overheating problem. Let it sit overnight. Check the coolant level in the morning before starting the engine. Check both the overflow reservoir and under the radiator cap

 

Yup, and it was originally attributed to a dingus technician at the Toyota dealer to both fill the oil and top off the coolant...

 

I agree, if your capable you can pull your spark plugs out and see if one spark plug electrode is much cleaner than the other. That would indicate burning coolant.

 

Fan might not be turning on..you probably would have noticed not hearing it on when the truck was shut off as it got close to overheating, but you didn't mention that so just a simple thing.

The coolant is full as you mentioned but the thermostat could be stuck shut.

The new water pump could have croaked but that's not necessarily likely, at least not the first thing I would go for.

 

I’m going to have to go with other guys here Charlie.
Check the coolant level in the radiator tomorrow.

Until then, don’t worry about. Worrying won’t get you anywhere.
It is, what it is, at this point. It can be fixed. It’s all going to ok.
I’d let your mechanic advise you on what he thinks you should do.