Advice needed ASAP!

Hello... I’m in the middle of a road trip, stopped at my parents house in Yuma overnight. This morning I decided to check the fluids out one more time before I hit the road and noticed that my coolant reservoir was almost all the way to the top. I opened the radiator cap to check the inside and it was bone dry. I was thinking maybe I somehow developed an air bubble so I kept the radiator cap off and turned on the truck with the AC and let it warm up. After 20 minutes the reservoir is still full, the radiator is dry but the temperature gauge is in in the middle, where it should be. There are no leaks, truck idles fine, AC is working great, no overheating whatsoever. I’m very confused?!?
(I was able to remove the radiator cap while the truck was on after the 30 minutes and still no circulation but the temperature isn’t perfect) Please help...

 

Look at the seals on the radiator cap. If the one under the cap, itself, is damaged, the system will not pull the antifreeze back from the overflow tank. Fill the radiator too.

 

That's bad. You should never have tried that. Take it to a shop before you do more damage than good.

 

Thank you, i will start with that even though it doesn’t look damaged but I will replace it.

 

@Bell241b, I know it’s bad but I wanted to eliminate any doubts.

Changed the radiator cap, water level dropped just a bit, topped off the radiator... No indication of overheating or anything else.

 

Have you checked your oil?

 

Check the little rubber hose that goes to the reservoir, make sure it's not sliced open or loose where it connects. Just Like the rad cap seal mentioned above, a leaking reservoir hose could suck air instead of coolant back into the radiator when it cools down

 

Maybe try running the heat?
Have you had to add or did you change fluid.

 

Take it to a shop and have the antifreeze in your radiator checked for exhaust gasses. It could be a head
gasket.

 

Ohh shit it is an 06 too......

 

Go to Mr G's. Get some taquitos then take it to a shop and get it checked. The taquitos should help with any bad news that you get . If you have access to a air compressor you can pressurise the each piston and check for bubbles in the radiator. If you have bubbles it's a bad head gasket. Also the spark plug in the piston that is sucking up the fluid will be cleaner than all the others. Good luck

 

Oil is clean. I changed the rad cap and added about 10 ounces of coolant. Drove it around and saw that it was a bit hot. Drained the reservoir to the “full” line. Going to drive it again for a bit to see if there is any difference. The temperature is on point.

 

Hey guys, sorry to keep nagging but still baffled and need further advice. After i drained the reservoir to the "full" line and changed the radiator cap as mentioned, the truck ran as it did before, like a champ! Drove it around, but checked the antifreeze fluid in the reservoir. It didnt change, on the 'full" mark. Checked it again before heading back to Phoenix and still the same But opened cap and it was dry, as far as i could see. I did not add any antifreeze like i did last time for fear of it spewing out like before. Once again, truck drive like a champ a;ll the way home, with AC blowing ice cold. After an hour or so i decided to look again and the antifreeze in the reservoir was now about an inch to inch and half above the "full" line. I checked the oil and still clean, checked the oil cap and no sludge milky crap. I drained it to the "full" line again and added some to the radiator. Ran it again and noticed slight condensation off of the exhaust, condensation and not antifreeze. Havent seen or heard of bubbles and where under the dash or reservoir. So im stumped,,,, Am i forgetting to check anything? Do you guys think my engine is toast (headgasket)? Can anyone PLEASE recommend a reputable trustworthy mechanic to check this out? This is my DD. All info is greatly appreciated.

 

Try asking in the local threads
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/arizona.84/

 

Check hose to the reservoir. If that doesn't work you need to test that the system can hold pressure.

 

Just checked the hose to the reservoir and it's ok,,,
@JaCado im trying to get as much info as possible. Im hoping some people from AZ chime in.

 

No problem.... I would go into the az-bs 5.0 thread for that and to see about a good shop/local mechanic.
Sorry I can't be of more help, good luck

 

Is the water pump leaking at all? You might have to remove the skid plate to get a good look at it. Mine started to leak out of the weep hole on the bottom of the pump. Also check for leaks from the thermostat housing and cooling hose that goes under the intake manifold.

 

Checked all the hoses (granted is dark) and everything is dry as a bone.

 

I'd say the next step is to check that the cooling system can hold pressure, you can probably rent the tool at your local auto parts store.