In regards to coolant on 3.4L

This is why you do regular coolant flushes and use the proper coolant. Under the timing cover of a 3.4l tacoma...There was so much built up solidified coolant that it filled some of the teeth on the crankshaft timing pulley and allowed it to jump multiple teeth.

 

Pics don't work

 

should now. mah bad.

 

Thats his point!.....i think

 

jus another day at the job..

 

hope mine doesn't look like that! Thanks for posting new motivation to get it replaced

 

Water pump leaking - perhaps?

 

This.

I think a better lesson here is change the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

 

Huh? How does coolant solidify?

 

it crystallizes as it displaces its water. so keep it properly mixed with its 50/50 water, do change it i guess per manufacturer specs.

 

Lots of things can cause crystallization/gelling. Mixing different coolants, not having proper water/coolant mixture, overheating of coolant, or pooling of coolant for extended periods. Do your flushes and timing belt services to prevent this. Any good timing belt kit will come with a water pump and gasket.

 

Does the water pump on the 2nd gens have a gasket? Or is it RTV - similar to the 3.4L on the 1st gens?

 

Yes it has a gasket if you get a good water pump. The 4.0 L is a completely different set up than the 3.4L. It has a timing chain and the water pump is serp belt driven

 

Thanks!! Haven't done any 'real' work on this truck yet (other than regular maintenance) so I'm a bit unfamiliar with its internals. I'm enjoying not having to do any work.....

 

Ya the only things ive had to do on it are my p/s pump and reseal my timing cover. Look out for the latter on the 4.0's. really common.