Houston, think we have a problem...

Here is the situation. I took a usual trip, from exit 100 on I-10 to exit 63 on I-12. Usually takes me between 1hr 28 mins and 1hr 38 mins one way including Baton Rouge traffic. So, do the math.... Most of the time running at about 92mph. I have done this trip a couple times a week with this truck pretty much since I bought it! This time on the way to Mandeville, she ran perfectly! I got to the exit and stopped at the intersection of causeway and hwy 22, temp went from normal to redline hot in under 5 seconds! I killed the motor, pushed to chevron station. Popped the hood and coolant reservoir was boiling!

Since I was away from home and had no tools, once it was cool, I brought it to the Toyota dealership near by.

They checked cooling system for pressure and leaks,pressure tested cylinders, ( I keep an obd in my truck and already checked for any codes thrown) checked for codes. They concluded, it was air in the cooling system, flushed it out, sent me on my way ( with $150 Bill of course)

Not trusting the dealership, I did a run on I-12 from Covington,LA to Hammond,LA and back running at about 85mph. Everything was fine so I figured safe to drive back to Abbeville.

Everything was fine, running between 98mph and at times 75mph until I got off I-10 at Lafayette. First stop light, temperature went from normal to red hot in seconds! same thing! Killed engine right away, pushed to gas station, when I popped the hood the jug was boiling!

I'm thinking head gasket, the jug wasnt boiling, it was cylinder pressure escaping! Dealership would have picked up on a failed head gasket , right?

Changing head gaskets is a pain and takes up like a whole weekend! Before I jump the gun anyone else have any ideas?

If you have some stupid comment on speeding, etc... Keep it to yourself please.When I have said before that I push my truck to the limits, I do! To be completely honest, every other truck/jeep/SUV I have ever owned that I pushed this hard died in maybe 5 years, this Tacoma has already. Made it a decade! Just another kink to figure out



Much appreciated!

 

If they didn't find anything in the pressure test, my next option would be to check the thermostat to see if that thing is stuck closed maybe? Check your oil and see if there is coolant in it, and remove the oil filler cap. if there is no water/coolant in there then its most likely not a head gasket.

 

It's not unusual to have the engine temp creep up after stopping from high speeds. If this happens again, don't kill the engine right away. Give it a moment to get the fan running. Maybe turn off AC for less load on the engine.

 

Sounds like maybe a bad thermostat. If you had a head gasket issue causing rapid overheating then there would be likely other symptoms, like oil in your coolant (milkshake looking), or excessive/blue colored exhaust, engine misfires, etc.

Oh, and regarding your "keep your stupid speeding comments to yourself" part of your post; I wholeheartedly pray that if and when you wreck your truck driving that fast, the only person that gets hurt or dies is you.

There are designated places for driving over the speed limit, public roads aren't one of them. Grow up, please.

 

So, when you wreck going 98mph, are you going to have your truck scraps donated to the local PD to show drivers education classes?
As far as the engine, does it do it when you don't drive like an idiot? Like driving around town. When you push the engine it gets hot, but with higher speeds you have more air pushing through the radiator. When you come to a stop, the engine is still trying to get the heat out through the coolant, but there isn't enough air to cool it fast enough.
Check your fan clutch to see if it operates properly. It may not be.
Is there any oil contamination in the coolant or coolant contamination in the oil?

 

It's the thermostat.

 

I love hauling ass as much as the next guy, but dude... C'mon these are tacomas not vettes. Push an engine hard long enough and problems are going to come up

 

I have had a head gasket leak even though the compression test would prove otherwise.

Either the head gasket or a T-stat.

Could just be that it is also taking enough time to push out fluid, until it then is low enough that it is boiling the fluid.

 

Since it's not overheating at speed, but blows up at idle, I'd wager the fan clutch is gone.

BTW, if you didn't want your driving style critiqued, you could have easily posted about the overheating w/o mentioning it, just using terms like 'highway speeds' instead. Seems like you prefer to brag instead? Hope you are signed up for the organ donor program.

Great plan posting your routes too. I'm sure none of the LEOs on the board will take note............

 

I was gonna say exit 63 is in my neck of the woods!

 

63B not 63A .

I always head towards Mandeville.

But I brought it to Northshore Toyota, done business with them several times, good folks!

 

I am running through the list of all of your suggestions before I assume the worst. Will keep you guys posted!

As always, thank you guys very much!

 

For emergency engine cooling turn the cabin heat on full and the hvac fan on full. This will help if the fan clutch has failed.

 

Thanks!

 

When you said the coolant in the coolant reservoir was boiling. Was it really boiling or was it just gas from the engine blowing back. It should be very easy to figure out, touch it.

If it is in fact boiling you have a thermostat, fan or water pump problem. If it is not boiling you probably have a blown head gasket.

The dealer said it was also low on coolant ( air in the system ). Was it again low on coolant the second time?

I'll hedge my bets and say head gasket. Get another pressure test and leak down test. Pay particular attention to cylinder # 5 and 6.

 

Good point! That is a "here's your sign" moment. I'll check it out on the drive to work in the morning.

( I work 1/2 mile from my house btw, been able to make the trip there and back before it redlines)

Thanks

 

I'll pray for you that it isn't the head gasket. As you said it is a huge pain in the rear.

 

Thank bro!

 

Yep! Its head gasket! I put some Bar's in it, sealed it for now. Runs perfectly. That should hold long enough for me to get $$$ together to buy head gaskets, timing chain, water pump, etc... If I'm gonna break it down to do head gasket, May as well do it all.

Thanks for all the help guys!

BTW Bar's does work really well if your in a bind and you need quick emergency fix for blown head gasket

 

Bar's?