1997 tacoma, 4 wheel drive, overheating

My Tacoma has 80,000 original miles. All at once, the temp shot to high. Took to the garage and they replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. It ran good for a month and then the temp gauge shot up. It is at the garage now and they are baffled. They ran it in the shop for 1 1/2 hours, twice, and the temp was normal. They took it for a drive and 3 miles later the temp shot up. There are no leaks of any kind. Is it possible there is “crud” in the radiator and it is clogging the system. I am about to say, “change the radiator and water pump.”

 

if you have the v6, the water pump usually gets replaced with the timing belt at around 90k miles. you've got really low mileage for a 1st gen Tacoma and haven't hit that mark yet but that pump is still pretty old by now. Might be a good time to do the timing belt/water pump job and get that over with, see if the new water pump doesn't help with your intermittent overheating issue

Goes without saying (for me), try to stick with OEM parts or at least a well known brand like an Asin timing belt kit (most come with a new water pump)

Some shops like to cheap out on the aftermarket parts if the customer doesn't say anything about preference

 

the fact that it ran fine after the t-stat replacement for awhile before the issue came back makes me wonder about the new t-stat they put in

 

I am the original owner of this truck. In mint condition, always garage kept. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I will pass all hints to the mechanic.

 

Do you have the v6 standard cab or the 4 cylinder?

 

@Johnnyeggs

How is the 'temperature' of your vehicle being observed?

Simply by the dash gauge, or does this shop connect a tool to monitor via OBDII?

I ask because you state the shop claims normal temps, but it overheats with you? If you are only basing this off your dash gauge, I suggest you revisit this by using a tool that connects to your OBDII port and going out for a drive.

When your vehicle overheats, have you attempted to see if there are any 'cold spots' on your radiator? Simply checking by hand (vehicle off) or with a temp gun would tell you. Also, what equipment type did the shop use when they replaced said parts? Could be cheap generic parts, or OEM (which are still available).

Just trying to rule out a bad gauge, or an actual overheating issue.

 

Truck is 4 cylinder.

 

Definitely overheating, not the gauge. The last time the lid blew off the overflow reservoir and sprayed all over.

 

So, thermostat was verified as working correctly?

And the radiator cap is a good one?

Radiator is good too?

Have someone get in the vehicle and step on the gas pedal bringing it up to +3k rpm's and watch the reservoir to see what it does IE bubbling or not.

 

Has the coolant ever been changed? (thinking more sludge in the system than anything)

Fan clutch working?

Heater work well?

I've seen radiator hoses that needed replacement collapse running on the road and block circulation.

Coolant flow in radiator indicate the tstat is open and water pump working?

No residue at the water pump weep hole?

 

I got a brand new rad you can have for $25.

I replaced my V6 rad last month. They sent me a rad for a 4 cylinder.

Too bad you weren't in Michigan.

 

Where did you order from. Not because of the mistake, but several previous radiator sources I had referenced have faded away.

 

I got this from Amazon. I've been ordering rads over the internet for close to 25 years. These were the best packaged and had the highest build quality of any that I've used in the past.

I'm in the process of building a Tundra wreck presently. I will be using these.

The Chinese have really stepped up the parts quality in the last dozen years.

AutoShack RK678 Radiator...

$82 AutoShack Radiator for 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 3.4L V6 4WD RWD RK678

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBJ55CK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

Hopefully, my truck is now fixed. Had the entire system flushed and a new radiator installed. The mechanic showed me a phone pic of the new thermostat. Lots of small debris stuck to it. Thanks for all the suggestions. This is a great website.

 

been eying this radiator. Will it fit my 1995 3.4 4wd?

 

If the truck is a stick shift, it will fit.

If the truck is an automatic, you need the version that is 4 inches taller.

 

yes it’s an automatic. May you direct me to a good quality one? Just got this truck and I want to change it out for preventative maintenance. Thank you