New to DC area. Looking to learn about land cruisers

[1timecruiser]

First I want to thank everyone for there advice. Thanks to SemperFJ (Jorge) for stopping by.

This morning I filled the reservoir and topped off the radiator. Brought the engine temp with the heater on high up and ran it for a while. The fluid did go back into the reservoir and filled up. I let it sit for a while after 20-30 min no fluid was lost...
However, I drove to work today, 5 miles with a few @50mph with no over heating and parked. I did not check the fluids immediately. A few minutes ago (3 hours after driving to work) I checked the reservoir tank, and it was nearly empty... again. Why would driving affect the fluid level?

 

[76FJ40]

Because you're losing coolant through your head gasket and it's evaporated during combustion process. See if you can find someone with the tool to check for exhaust gases in your coolant.

 

[John Smith]

The overflow tank level will rise and fall due to the thermal expansion and contraction as the engine heats and cools. The phenomena you are experiencing with loss of coolant is because you either have a leak or are burning it up. Please pull your spark plugs and have a look as it seems you don't have a leak.

 

[76FJ40]

Are you using antifreeze or just straight water in the cooling system?

 

[1timecruiser]

Ok I will pull the spark plugs. What should I be looking for?
How serious is this? What's next?

 

[John Smith]

You are looking for one or possibly two plugs to be much cleaner than the others. Post up a picture of the plugs when you pull them and keep track of which cylinder they came from. If you indeed have a leaking head gasket you will need to pull the head and replace it. A rather time consuming but not overly technical job.

 

[FJ 4 PLAY]

That is a nice looking truck , I just got one myself. I wish I had checked this earlier , Im headed out for a week's vacation . I can check your coolant for exhaust gases for you . Im local for you , at the toyota dealer on Rt.1 . Just hang a right off glebe onto Rt1 and the dealer is at the next light. Im here until 7 tonight if you get a chance . I wont be back until next Thursday after that. If you get time let me know , or I can check when I get back . James 571-213-0433.
BTW not sure if you know the area but Glebe splits after you go under 395 , stay to the left.

 

[shidosha01]

Welcome to Northern Va and Mud. As you can already see there's a lot of fellow mudders in our area who are so knowledgable about our trucks and are very helpful.

Ive had the please of meeting some of the guys a few months back and even went out on a fun trail ride with them too.

There's a sticky about where they meet and when. I just haven't made it out lately because of my work hours. Hope to see you and the others in the near future.

 

[1timecruiser]

Thank you all for all your input. I am such a novice and I am learning a ton right now. Very cool. Jorge, who lives litterally right down the street went over my spark plugs with me and everything looked fine. I took pics and can post them. I made sure the radiator was topped off the other morning and thus far I don't think it has changed. On the few short drives back and forth to work, I have been paying close attention to the heat gage and monitoring fluid level with only one time where the temp went above half way... Right now I think there may have been a combination of lack of fluid, and a failing thermostat, since when trying to pump the water from a radiator to the engine at temp it would really take, or very minimal fluid was going through the hose. Jorge recommended I get a new thermostat since it is cheap and easy so I bought one (with gasket) today. Can't thank everyone enough. I definitely would like to go to a meet up sometime say it in person.
-Steve

 

[Stumpalama]

Here you go: https://forum.ih8mud.com/va-dc-md-c...place-kilroys-730pm-first-wed-each-month.html

Kilroy's at 7:30PM September 5th.

 

[TRFCSUX]

Use caution on the bolts for the thermostate housing they will snap very easily. Ask me how I know.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

yup. I've been soaking mine in Kroil in anticipation of replacing the thermostat for the fall.

 

[kulangot]

Climb under the truck and look up at the bottom of the water pump, there is a small hole under there called a Weep Hole. If you see coolant coming out, your about to loose a water pump. The coolant that comes out of there will hit the fan itself and the fan wash and be spread all of the place.

if not leaking there, go and smell the exhaust - unless you have a very small leak it will smell like burning cotton candy as the sugars in the glycol burn off during combustion.

If leaking in the car or in one of the two heaters it will stink.

It is possible to have a head gasket leak in such a way that it forces water out of the overflow.

Like Dan said, a radiator pressure test will quickly confirm this. Maybe you can borrow one from Autozone?

At any rate, it sounds like you need to get in touch with Mr. Ryan Bascom before you blow up your motor. He is the local traveling mechanic and a guru of such repairs.

Good luck!

-Stumbaugh

 

[TRFCSUX]

Can we get an update , how is it going ?

 

[hakalugi]

update?

welcome to the area!