Overheating after buying 02 Tacoma

1. air still in the system
2. system needs to be flushed
3. needs a new thermostat


I would flush the entire system and replace the thermostat. Then burp it, top it off and take it for a spin. Less than $100 for all that.

 

180k truck is due for a timing belt and other 30k mile interval scheduled maintenance. Can you confirm that was done?

30k mile maintenance incudes plugs (NGK BKR5EKB-11 or Denso 3194 K15TR11) front/rear diffs, transmission flush, tcase (75-90 in diffs/tcase) brake fluid flush, coolant flush (Toyota coolant is red, okay to use green or red but make sure the system is properly flushed because they don’t react well together), new thermostat, do the water pump at the same time you do the timing belt- use Toyota/Japanese parts- Denso, Aisin, Mitsubishi, NGK https://www.ebay.com/itm/317029638806?_skw=tacoma+timing+belt+kit&itmmeta=01K589T66MBHG8EK8TQZN36XDR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eDaLr0Dmi8Dn5z7XIt%2FMkfuBBUaP3VW%2FfWIWQ9E5tCQvfEb0IxQoK9F57iSVvFbIsZ8M4N7fxnli8Jk0vxOKX+vcuGo7IXH2Emjp18RSH5WrjSm8tff0WgW2AePKQ%2FuHt--BXoGVPd79m0+bzO698MID+ngprKST6xrMoJu%2FQpFQimIpp8VgAfCW+EkoP8D3jSIPv8Ub3IGD6w96AecArrzKxRYvz1D85kq1Ka53rogA0RBmcoULIZhOMdkEORsAl7VFB+dDDUTqxyS0WuK7xQ4lCwd9rqcVZp%2FlOuUEC0nQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7zj6ImqZg&keyword=tacoma+timing+belt+kit&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true

Is it possible the seller dumped the truck before doing this work?

Good way to learn the truck, lots of write-ups, and if it hasn’t been done, it will need to be.

Toughest part is the crank pulley bolt, need a 250lb torque wrench
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vHC46ypHxWc

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mErd7xoBS9I

Assess if this is over your head.

 

100% sorry to say OP

 

Just looking at the photo the truck appears to be in really good shape. All vehicles require maintenance overtime. Do the repairs and drive it another 180k.

 

To isolate airflow, does the temp go down if you are coasting from a higher speed? Or go down and hold steady once you get up to speed, like 40-45mph - that's more airflow than the cooling fan can pull.

O'Reilly will let you borrow a radiator pressure test kit (basically you can buy, use for a few days and then return for a 100% refund). This will check if you have any head gasket leaks.

But first, I'm with everybody else, it's the thermostat. Buy a new one and start there. Buy a genuine Toyota. If you go aftermarket buy the type that "fail open". Most(?) cheaper aftermarket ones will "fail closed" - i.e. when they go bad they close and overheat your engine.

Your truck looks great!

 

Start simple clean the radiator fins (exterior). Also if the coolant is getting to 230 the motor oil is getting too hot (230 +).

 

Unfortunately it’s not going to be something simple because that’s why it was for sale. Did it not have the overheating during test drive?