Broke my 40 (or maybe im stupid)

[FelipeDos]

1971 FJ40, stock

Finally got my exhaust done for my 40 - was the last piece of the puzzle. Went to drive it home, steam in my face. It seems to be coming from the tubes the heater box should connect to - id taken it out to help with wiring, lost it, and never put it back in. It never did that when there was no exhaust on it, my guess is the back pressure made the heater tubes actually work? I'm guessing that hot steam is how its supposed to work, just supposed to go into the heater?

Except now it wont start. So maybe i broke something. It cranks just fine, sometimes makes noises like it's firing a couple times, but wont hold it.

Any ideas? Did i break it? Thanks y'all.

 

[peesalot]

Check the dip stick for water contamination in oil, check radiator, is it all foamy and milf froth looking ? is there coolant in it ?, the heater tubes have a valve that lets water flow thru, possibly the valve has opened ? It should be hot water not steam or cold water if you have a stuck or no thermostat. The starting issue could be alot of things, I would check the above things and have a look at the spark plugs before I started guessing. Is the engine stock ? carb all hooked up proper ? fuel delivery, moisture in dizzy, lots of things could be going on.

 

[charliemeyer007]

How long did you run it with no exhaust? Heater tubes leak - there should be no steam ever outside the tubes unless you spilled something on them and it is drying off. I would take the cap of the radiator and look for bubbles in the coolant.

 

[gr8ful]

Check the dip stick for water contamination in oil, check radiator, is it all foamy and milf froth looking ? is there coolant in it ?, the heater tubes have a valve that lets water flow thru, possibly the valve has opened ? It should be hot water not steam or cold water if you have a stuck or no thermostat. The starting issue could be alot of things, I would check the above things and have a look at the spark plugs before I started guessing. Is the engine stock ? carb all hooked up proper ? fuel delivery, moisture in dizzy, lots of things could be going on.

I’m just going to say that “milf froth” is my new favorite phrase…

 

[Casey E]

Steam coming out heater tubes indicates no water in the system . Did you drain the radiator and refill it by chance ? I’ve seen more than one cruiser over heat because the system wasn’t burped to get the air out.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I always burp my system on a steep ramp. Drive up, set the brake, turn the engine off, then chock the wheel. Remove the rad cap. Start engine let idle until you see the surge from the thermostat opening in the top of the rad. Next I put a huge pair of hemostats on the supply hose to the front heater. After a few minutes/surge cycles I move the hemostats to the supply hose for the rear heater. System is burped.

 

[FelipeDos]

Steam coming out heater tubes indicates no water in the system . Did you drain the radiator and refill it by chance ? I’ve seen more than one cruiser over heat because the system wasn’t burped to get the air out.

Im guessing this is it - just replaced it with a new radiator. Filled it with coolant but thats it, didnt "burp" it.

 

[FelipeDos]

Check the dip stick for water contamination in oil, check radiator, is it all foamy and milf froth looking ? is there coolant in it ?, the heater tubes have a valve that lets water flow thru, possibly the valve has opened ? It should be hot water not steam or cold water if you have a stuck or no thermostat. The starting issue could be alot of things, I would check the above things and have a look at the spark plugs before I started guessing. Is the engine stock ? carb all hooked up proper ? fuel delivery, moisture in dizzy, lots of things could be going on.

Brand new radiator, thermostat, spark plugs. Stock engine. Everything should be hooked up properly- it ran fine before this.

 

[charliemeyer007]

In today's world new doesn't mean good - quality control is now an oxymoron like military intelligence. Look at all the recalls on new cars - they will have a wrap sheet longer than hand in a few years.

 

[bikersmurf]

I’d start off with the basics…

For combustion to occur there needs to be air, fuel, and a spark. To run well fuel and air need to be in the correct ratios… but we aren’t there yet.

As was previously mentioned, check the distributor cap is dry, the points are intact, the gap is in the correct (check dwell if you can), and finally that you have spark.

Is there fuel in the float bowl (carb). If you pump the gas pedal, does the accelerator pump squirt gas into the carb?

Is your air filter clean and dry? Does the choke work?

If you have all of the above, you should be able to get it running again. I’ve used this system to make countless engines run in cars of all makes and models.

As for the steam, start by capping off the heater hoses. My experience is that if a heater hose (or core) leaks you’ll see steam. But, I’d start by getting it running and then worry about the leak.

 

[jim land]

The cruiser God is punishing you for the upside down bezel

 

[peesalot]

Gr8ful, thats funny, didnt catch that but since you brought it up it is kinda catchy.

 

[diesellibrarian]

1971 FJ40, stock

Finally got my exhaust done for my 40 - was the last piece of the puzzle. Went to drive it home, steam in my face. It seems to be coming from the tubes the heater box should connect to - id taken it out to help with wiring, lost it, and never put it back in. It never did that when there was no exhaust on it, my guess is the back pressure made the heater tubes actually work? I'm guessing that hot steam is how its supposed to work, just supposed to go into the heater?

Except now it wont start. So maybe i broke something. It cranks just fine, sometimes makes noises like it's firing a couple times, but wont hold it.

Any ideas? Did i break it? Thanks y'all.

View attachment 3905930

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding, but from your description it sounds like you removed the "heater box" and just left the hoses hanging there? Like, not connected to anything?

If so, that's *no bueno*. Those hoses are supposed to be full of coolant - not steam. Steam is one thing you don't want in your cooling system. It's a closed, pressurized system that should definitely not have any open hoses - especially in your cab. That's a recipe for a serious burn - as you almost found out!

Anyway, it's almost impossible to diagnose your no-start condition without a lot more information. As mentioned, there are tests you can do to verify that you have fuel and spark. But before you do anything, get your cooling system sorted. If you can't find your heater box, at least find a way to connect the two heater hoses that used to connect to it, and close that loop. Your auto parts store might have something of the correct diameter.

 

[-MaTTi-]

I'm guessing that hot steam is how its supposed to work, just supposed to go into the heater?

You are guessing so badly wrong.

 

[-MaTTi-]

Maybe you blown the head gasket by driving it without enough water.