1995 Tacoma with 22rze engine overheating.

I'm kind of at a loss here. My faithful tacoma is overheating on hills. On the highway, it's fine but going up hill at a slower speed it overheats. I replaced the radiator about 3 years ago because the old one cracked. I have just had it checked and there is no exhaust gas in the coolant which tends to rule out bad head gasket. I just replaced the thermostat, the fan clutch and the water pump. Also replaced the radiator cap a short while ago. It was going through a lot of coolant but I could never find a leak. I suspect the old water pump was leaking although it never left a puddle anywhere. The truck has 384,000 miles on it which I know is a lot but I still love it. The engine runs fine except for the overheating issue. My radiator hoses all appear to be in good condition, the fan shroud is in place and presumably doing what's it's supposed to do so I'm at a loss. Any suggestions? I'm wondering if maybe a cracked head but that would show up in the coolant exhaust gas test I think.

 

Welcome aboard. Aftermarket thermostats and improper install is the most common cause of overheating.

 

The Tacoma never came with a 22RE engine. You must have a Toyota Pickup which is different than the Tacoma.

 

A headgasket donesnt always mean theres exhaust gas in the coolant. My 22RE popped twice, neither time had any exhaust gas in the coolant. Time for a compression test, or a borescope down into the cylinders.

 

I've tried 3 different thermostats now. Guess maybe I need to go to the toyota dealer.

 

It's the 22RZ engine. The truck is a 1995 Tacoma.

 

Will do, thank you!

 

There is no such thing as a 22RZ engine. A quick google search points to it being a 2RZ, sans the extra letters. You’re probably just reading the production code sticker on the valve cover, the 1st Gen Tacoma had three engine choices:

1. 2.4l 2RZ-FE I4
2. 2.7l 3RZ-FE I4
3. 3.4l 5VZ-FE v6

 

There's a 2rz engine, and a 22re engine, but no 22rz. I know, it's all alphabet soup and doesn't *really* matter... but it kinda does, lol

Is this a 1995 pickup, or a 1995.5 Tacoma? Sounds strange, but there IS a difference. Mid way thru 1995 Toyota released the Tacoma to replace the pickup.

One as the 22RE motor (the pickup) and the other has the 2rz (Tacoma).

You said you replaced the cap and water pump because it was going through coolant. Is it still eating coolant?

A compression test should def be on your list.

 

damn, beat me to it, lol

 

I thought he meant 22RE, a lot of people confuse the Pickup with the Tacoma.

Wonder why they didn’t call it, gee, I don’t know. The Hilux?

 

I’m pretty sure he’s just reading the faded sticker on the valve cover, it’s the production code for the 2RZ after a quick google search.

 

Because the Hilux is stupid looking. The new ones look like a Honda Pilot with a truck bed.

But yeah, I don't know why only US and Canada weren't bestowed with an actual name for their pickups.

Did some googling:
http://www.brian894x4.com/Hiluxdifferences.html

They used to be the same until the IFS was introduced in 86. We fat Americans wanted IFS for a soft highway ride, but the Hilux kept the solid axle. The changes got bigger and bigger as time marched on.

 

Or he has a 1995 Pickup with a 22re, and got confused by the alphabet soup that is the toyota engine numbering system that has almost no bearing on the size of the motor. 22RE is not a 2.2L, but a 2.4: 2rz is also a 2.4L, 3vz is a 3L but the 2tr is a 2.7L and the 5vz is 3.4L.

Oh god I've gone cross-eyed

 

From experience with the RZ motors when you lose a headgasket you get one of two results, mixing oil and coolant or burning coolant. The coolant burning is typically not obvious unless it's gone unchecked for a long period of time. Given the miles and likelihood that it's been overheated, I can nearly guarantee you've got a cracked head as well.

 

OK, sorry all, I'm an idiot. Mine is the 2.4l 2RZ-FE It's really hard to read.

 

I'm starting to think the same thing. I've done a compression test and all 4 are in the range 145 to 155 psi. But the coolant is going somewhere. Have any of you guys bought a head for this engine from ebay. I've seen them for the $250 range including gaskets. Not too worried if I need a head. I still love my truck and plan to get at least 500k miles out of her. I can tell you the oil is clear not milky and she doesn't use much oil at all. Going to take her for another ride in the hills now while its daylight and when she is hot I'll have another look under the hood. Thank you everyone for your replies.

 

I've seen mixed reviews. I'd prefer to buy one of the loaded heads that come with new valves and everything if going the aftermarket route, then have the valves adjusted and surfaces checked.

No matter if you fix a cracked head or get a bare or loaded head expect to spend around 6-800 total to get it ready to drop on.

 

Hey I once asked “How to tell if your truck has 4WD” on here haha

 

If its got 4 wheels, duh.