Builds "new" fj60

[soe lost]

Just as I got to school last night the I heard a loud constant screeching sound, then I saw what looked like smoke so I parked, shut the car off, and popped the hood. Next I watched coolant flow out of the reserve tank and once it finished I went to class.

 

[soe lost]

After class I checked the belts and realized one had too much bounce or slack. Figured I'd drive to oreillys and pick up new belts and coolant but half way there and the temperature gauge got too high so I pulled over. I popped the hood again, and coolant was streaming out again. However, the reserve tank looked like it wanted to explode. Then I heard a hissing sound coming from the radiator cap which was to the left Which distracted me for a second or two. As I turned my head towards the reserve tank again the cap blew off. Luckily I was wearing a hat and protective glasses and was able to shield the rest of my face with my arm. Sadly I was wearing a tshirt so my forearm got sprayed. Lucky again because it was only first degree burns. Somehow I also ended up tossing my phone about 20 feet in front of the car and wasn't able to find it until a stranger let me use his phone to call it. I then got an uber and went home and my car is still sitting in Cupertino.

Could the belt be blamed for this or is it more likely a radiator cap or water pump issue?

 

[hj 60]

I'll blame the driver

 

[soe lost]

I'll blame the driver

On a car that I've had very little time with? Let's do that!

 

[Ian Crawford]

Lucky it wasn't worse! I've seen some nasty burns from hot coolant.

As for running hot, it could be any of the above, belt was loose and slipping, water pump was on its way out, thermostat is stuck. I doubt the radiator cap had much to do with it. That would prevent the system from building pressure if it was leaking off.

 

[DirtRoads]

On a car that I've had very little time with? Let's do that!

Well not driving a car that just overheated (the first time at school) is pretty much old car 101, but that's ok

Tighten the belts, replace as necessary, fill and purge air from cooling system and see what you've got. A loose belt might not have enough grip to rotate the pump and fan, but you could have two problems at once. Start with the known. The heat caused the coolant to spew, not the other way around.

 

[mongoose2231]

Sounds like typical first time cruiser ownership of a truck that the po didn't give a s*** about. You will have it sorted in no time. I would try to do maintenance and replace parts that are consumables as a precaution rather than when they fail, this way you don't get stranded.

 

[soe lost]

Lucky it wasn't worse! I've seen some nasty burns from hot coolant.

As for running hot, it could be any of the above, belt was loose and slipping, water pump was on its way out, thermostat is stuck. I doubt the radiator cap had much to do with it. That would prevent the system from building pressure if it was leaking off.

I looked at pictures afterwards and Im definitely very lucky. Now I just hope I have a little more luck and its not the water pump or anything major. Thanks for the help.

 

[HemiAlex]

Do it properly one system at a time with as many oem parts as you can use and it will be sorted once and for all.

I went though a less drama filled version of what are experiencing and it was still something I'd do over in a heart beat.

 

[soe lost]

Well not driving a car that just overheated (the first time at school) is pretty much old car 101, but that's ok

Tighten the belts, replace as necessary, fill and purge air from cooling system and see what you've got. A loose belt might not have enough grip to rotate the pump and fan, but you could have two problems at once. Start with the known. The heat caused the coolant to spew, not the other way around.

Driving a car that just overheated is "in" right now according to my mechanic

Its 90 degrees out so Ill work on those things when it cools down a bit and update tonight.
Straight criticism irks me unless you're telling me how ugly the car is then feel free

So thank you for your constructive criticism.

 

[HemiAlex]

Do you have the copies of the FSM that are available free? If not, download them asap.

 

[soe lost]

Sounds like typical first time cruiser ownership of a truck that the po didn't give a s*** about. You will have it sorted in no time. I would try to do maintenance and replace parts that are consumables as a precaution rather than when they fail, this way you don't get stranded.

The word typical hurt my feelings but I hope you're right about getting things sorted. So I guess its belts now and hoses next. Thanks.

 

[soe lost]

Do it properly one system at a time with as many oem parts as you can use and it will be sorted once and for all.

I went though a less drama filled version of what are experiencing and it was still something I'd do over in a heart beat.

I have downloaded one of the FSMs but between school and work I haven't had time to go thru it and actually do anything, yet. I plan to in a couple weeks when Im done with classes for the summer. Im glad you had a less drama filled experience and the fact that you'd do it over again speaks volumes. Thanks!

 

[HemiAlex]

I replaced all of my coolant system in one move.

That was after I did a cylinder head off refresh and didn't replace hoses because the PO had done them the year before. The day after I got it running, I blew the small 2" curved hose that comes off the water pump and limped it home with a massive coolant leak. Huge upset after working so hard.

I parked it and ordered parts. All oem Coolant hoses and clamps as well as all the hoses and clamps for the oil cooler. Wrapped it up, bled it and haven't had issues since.

My clutch slave was leaking ever so slightly. I bought the Aisin master/slave with an oem hose and knocked that system out in an hour.

My ongoing theme is that that whenever I replace the easiest part in a system, the next weakest part in line fails right after.

 

[Frogprince]

When it comes to the cooling system all the suggestion above are right on. I haven't had to do anything with the cooling system on the FJ yet.
Doesn't hurt to basically flush the radiator. There are several ways of doing this. Normally I take the bottom hose off the radiator and run a hose thru the top and flush the gunk out. From there check hoses and belts and if you are getting flow. Most of the time it is a stuck thermostat and you can run without one in a pinch but always good to keep one in the engine.

What HemiAlex said start with the easiest. It is a rule in physics the simplest solution is normally the correct one.

 

[soe lost]

Where can I get all 3 belts?

I checked auto zone and they only have 1 belt and O'Reillys has a few but the choices US, Canada and A/C.

 

[4Cruisers]

Belts can be purchased from Toyota. Another option is NAPA, in my experience the quality of the NAPA belts is very good.

 

[Ian Crawford]

I'll second NAPA.

 

[mongoose2231]

The word typical hurt my feelings but I hope you're right about getting things sorted. So I guess its belts now and hoses next. Thanks.

Lol, that came out wrong. I meant first time ownership of a typical, neglected cruiser. There, I hope that fixed it.

 

[HemiAlex]

Use the bando belts. They have all three.