Houston, think we have a problem...

Thanks bro! Fan clutch and thermostat, have already been changed during diagnostic. I have to brag, I get a grade A for all maintenance except coolant I get on a crawler and check her out at least twice a month stem to stern. Change fluids on time or early... BUT I get a grade of F on coolant flushes. Before the multiple ones we did recently, in 145,000 or so miles.... 2 times! Doh!

Water pump IS for sure on the gotta replace list!

Thanks for all the detailed advice, much appreciated!

 

BTW... LOVE the "Farmers" comment! LOL! I love those commercials!

I have one that Farmers never saw...

Ever hit a peacock in your neighborhood?

Yep!!!!

LOLl!

Oh, have to add, while avoiding hitting a couple of Rosters, running across the street (didn't file claim, damage was less than deductible, still funny as hell like the commercials)

 

I can't comment about head gasket issues on the 2nd gen but can confirm the pre-1st gen 3.0L engines were notorious enough for head gasket issues that Toyota had a TSB for it and they replaced the head gasket of my '94 V6 with 80k miles (in early '97, I think?) at no charge.

 

They also had a head gasket design issue with the 2005 and 2006 model years. Seemed to usually blow out around cylinder # 6.

 

My '06 is doing the exact same thing, I'm about to enter the process of elimination as well. Crossing my fingers that it isn't HG but with 201k miles, I'm not very optimistic.

 

You should be crossing your fingers that it IS a Head Gasket. A gasket beats the crap out of a cracked block or head.

 

I am getting stuff together and will probably be replacing head gaskets and water pump mid next week. I put Bars in it to buy some time. Seems to be running great! Before this I never tracked my coolant temp, I have been keeping reader hooked up when I'm driving. It's 90 degrees in the shade here. From cold start, with A/C full blast, it takes maybe 2 minutes to get to running temp. From there between long stretches and long waits at red light temp ranges from 175deg to little over 200degs.


What is the normal running temp for the coolant? Am I running it too hot?

This close to fixing it, I don't want to make it worse?

Thanks again everybody!

 

I have a 4 cylinder and it usually runs ~ 190 when fully warmed up.

 

My 4 cylinder runs 194 F.

 

Thanks!

 

Mine runs at 199F, according to my UG.

 

I've had the exact same issue. My 2005 doublecab overheats only when its fully loaded for a camping trip and we go 100+ miles. It's been maddening! So far I've... changed the thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, and now the radiator! I tested it a few weeks ago by driving up a steep canyon fast, in 100 degrees with the AC on... it was okay. Then I took it for a family camping trip the next weekend and... crap! it overheated three times!

I'm taking it in this week to get the head gasket replaced. By process of elimination, it cannot be anything else... grr..

 

I also have a 4 cyl and an UG and mine ranges from 193-197*

 

All of that load on the engine will definitely tax its coolant system.

Did you replace the t-stat with a stock replacement or cooler one?

 

I sucked it up and got the head gasket replaced for $3,400. It fixed the problem. The leaky heads were cylinder #1 and 4. It cost a lot but now I have my truck back and I'm very happy!