1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

3rd gen 4runner w/ 3.4

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Dcorbin92, Oct 15, 2020.

  1. Oct 15, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    #1
    Dcorbin92

    Dcorbin92 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15474
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Devin
    Vehicle:
    3rd gen 4runner
    Stock
    hey guys. My motor isnt completing the coolant cycle. im assuming its a bad thermostat. when the engine heated up the high pressure hose popped off the radiator and sprayed coolant all over my engine bay. im wondering if my assumption is correct and if there is any links yall could share with me to help me identify the issue and fix the problem. part numbers will also be greatly appreciated as well. thanks in advance. the pictures are what i took off trying to find the thermostat. i have since put everything back together.

    121577319_373995660390054_8395733325942022546_n.jpg
    121659451_682130132438110_521127465852948192_n.jpg
     
  2. Oct 15, 2020 at 1:52 PM
    #2
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    1,876
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    Thermostat is nearer to the bottom of the engine. You have to take everything off the front of the engine to get to it. EDIT: No I am wrong on that, see below.

    When's the last time you did a Timing Belt change? Because now is the time to do it.

    How old is the Radiator?

    Water pump?

    May as well replace those too. It's a 5 minute job while doing the T-Belt. Then you should have no cooling issues.

    Advance sells a lifetime radiator. I Just take my old one in every 125k miles...since they start leaking at that time.

    Timing Belt kits can be had for a good price with a water pump. Get an AISIN water pump. Don't cheap out.

    If your valve cover gaskets are over 150k miles old. Do them too.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAK8ZQ8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    I used that kit and added in a thermostat. Get a TOYOTA thermostat from your local dealer or online.
    part number: 90916-03075
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
    mousemeat likes this.
  3. Oct 15, 2020 at 1:58 PM
    #3
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    1,876
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    Now what I'm worried about is that you actually have a different issue from a T-Stat. You should check the coolant for exhaust leaks. This may be a blown head gasket. If so, better to know what you're working towards. It would suck to pull everything apart, put it all back together, just to have to do a head gasket and pull it all apart again.
     
  4. Oct 15, 2020 at 2:06 PM
    #4
    Dcorbin92

    Dcorbin92 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2020
    Member:
    #15474
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Devin
    Vehicle:
    3rd gen 4runner
    Stock
    so basically what im gathering is to rebuild the front of the engine correct? cause pretty much everything is original
     
  5. Oct 15, 2020 at 5:52 PM
    #5
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2018
    Member:
    #7180
    Messages:
    12,083
    Vehicle:
    1996 SR5 Limited
    Did it overheat? Looks like the upper coolant hose wasn’t tightened down?
     
  6. Oct 15, 2020 at 6:35 PM
    #6
    Clutchplate

    Clutchplate New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2020
    Member:
    #13982
    Messages:
    73
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    96 4runner 3.4 Liter
    You don't need to take off anything to replace thermostat except lower radiator hose. Remove 3 nuts and it's done.
     
  7. Oct 15, 2020 at 8:00 PM
    #7
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    1,876
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    Yes, I forget that. I always see it when I do a T-Belt replacement so I forget exactly how accessible it is.
     
  8. Oct 15, 2020 at 8:03 PM
    #8
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    1,876
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
    If so...then yes. The water pump, radiator and T-Belt have limited lifetimes. Luckily on these engines, they are non interference...so if the t-belt goes, it won't hurt anything.

    The worst thing is if the transmission cooler part of the radiator goes and you get coolant dumped into the transmission. Then you will need a new transmission.
     
    SlvrSlug likes this.
  9. Oct 17, 2020 at 7:57 PM
    #9
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2020
    Member:
    #17209
    Messages:
    1,184
    Gender:
    Male
    Memphis, TN.
    Vehicle:
    1997 4 runner limited
    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    never too late to start replacing /upgrading in the engine compartment...
     

Products Discussed in

To Top