FJ60 - Heater not blowing warm....temp guage almost to H

[CloudCasters]

Hello - I have never owned a FJ60 and just got one last week. Found this forum - SCORE! Need some help.

Letting it sit running in driveway, temp guage climed almost to H and no heat through heater... It was 30 degrees out ... does that matter? What should I check first. Thanks!

 

[ftbshop]

Sounds like an air bubble in the cooling system. Have you burped the radiator yet?

 

[2mbb]

check that the radiator is full. Not just the expansion tank, but also take the cap off the radiator (when it's cold). Burp the system. check that the fan clutch is working. all of the above is trouble shooting the high idle temp.

regarding no heat. It could be that you are low an coolant. It could also be that the heater valve is not working or not connected. It could also be that the heater core is clogged. You should check to see if your rear heater works, too. This could point you to whether it's your heater core or a more general problem (low coolant or bubble in the system).

 

[CloudCasters]

I topped off the overflow today and took it for a spin to the front end shop. It ran below half way of mid gauge the entire drive, about 17 miles. No problems and heater blew hot. Did not try to let idle for 30 mins like prior. I will when I get the vehicle back.

Both Knuckes are leaking badly and getting rebuilt. $400.00. is that a good price?

 

[Trapper50cal]

Also check to see if the thermostat was recently done. When it is in upside down, it will have a hard time reaching operating temp (generally halfway on the temp meter) but then it will overheat.

 

[lehiguy]

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but everything is freeezing up around here. If you have any doubt about the freezing point of your coolant, get a hygrometer and make sure it will tolerate your climate. 50/50 should be good to minus 20. It would be very easy to freeze the lines to the heater core.

 

[usmcruiser]

how long does it typically take to burp your system? I am having a very simialar issue to Cloud. My heater will blow nice and hot for about 15 min then "cool" when its still on the hot setting. I tried burping my system. but coolant just dribbled out of the radiator while the engine was running and I turned it off before it burped as I didn't want to lose too much coolant. Does the engine need to get completely warm? I assume its at least warm enough that the thermostat opens up? Does the heater need to be on while doing this as well?

 

[gregnash]

I had to let my truck warm up (actually register on the idiot temp gauge) with the cap off. Remember when burping the system you need to have the front of the truck propped up so the the air will raise. I let my run like that with everything blowing high/hot for another good 20 minutes. If you can't jack the front up you could always bang on your radiator a bit to knock some of the bubbles loose. I did this and my system burped.

There are also attachments at your local APS that you can get that will screw a funnel to the top of the radiator fill and then you can fill the cone up so it will burp and then take some and not necessarily piss everywhere. But be prepared for it to do that, everyone told me it would and believe me when she would bubble a lot suddenly that is when it would piss everywhere. Just part of the territory.

 

[Trapper50cal]

how long does it typically take to burp your system? I am having a very simialar issue to Cloud. My heater will blow nice and hot for about 15 min then "cool" when its still on the hot setting. I tried burping my system. but coolant just dribbled out of the radiator while the engine was running and I turned it off before it burped as I didn't want to lose too much coolant. Does the engine need to get completely warm? I assume its at least warm enough that the thermostat opens up? Does the heater need to be on while doing this as well?

Yes. Yes. Yes, all heaters.

 

[CloudCasters]

when I get it back I will try all the suggestions. Temp on day of guage hitting hot was about 31 degrees. Is the idiot gauge suppose to go over mid way?

Thanks

 

[lifes a beach]

I am having the same issue and want to burp the system except my heater/ac fan does not work in the dash. Can i still burp it without the heater blowing? How high of an incline do i need to have the front end? Can i just bump/push the front end to help it burp?

 

[gregnash]

What I normally do is just jack the front end up a bit after letting the engine warm up with the heater off and the radiator cap off. Then I will crank the heater fan and bump the truck or pound my fist on the top of the radiator in random spots. You will lose some coolant as it will bubble over, this is normal as the bubbles come out. Just do this for a while and it will be good after about 15 or so minutes of doing this. Incline does not have to be a lot you just want to raise the top radiator hose to be the highest point.

As for your fan not working, pretty sure that is required to help move coolant through the system but dont quote me on that. If you hear a sound like mice scrambling on newspaper or whatever behind the dash when you first start the truck and/or heater then you have a bit of air in the system. But note there will probably always be a little air in your system.

 

[lifes a beach]

thank you... i did this yesterday but did not let it run that long and I probably gurgled out about 1/4 of a jug of coolant... since my fan is not working i am not sure it is going to do any good. I will try to run the heater to the back seat and see if that helps. Thanks again... I am going to see what happens if i let it run a little longer

 

[gregnash]

To properly burp the system the engine needs to be at full operating temperature.

 

[Dr. John]

And...like 2mbb said...check the coolant level in the radiator...not just the overflow tank.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

My burp setup


Butt

 

[orbittron]

I didn't see it mentioned in the above posts but I learned to burp the coolant system by squeezing the upper radiator hose.

While the engine's running, with radiator cap off, heater(s) on, squeeze the upper rad hose - careful not to put your hand into the moving fan.

Each time you squeeze you will see the coolant level drop and may see or hear air bubbles come to the top. Add coolant to the radiator and coolant reservoir as needed. Let it idle until it's at normal operating temperature. Do not let your truck overheat. Once the thermostat begins to open, do not rev the engine - this will force coolant out of the open radiator. Allow the engine and cooling system to cool off, then check your coolant level again. Refill to proper levels, and repeat the process.

 

[Rob Faucett]

Note - In a 60 you need to have the rear heater turned on for the heater to work anywhere.