Topic: bad overheating problems!

[86turboyota]

Ive got an 86 runner with the 22-rte(turbo) motor in it with an auto tranny, sas, 5.29s and 33s.  Going down the highway the truck is fine, but as soon as i get onto the county road and slow down to below 25 it starts to heat up and wont cool back down.  So tonight when i got home i pulled it onto the slab and shut it off and the thing was boiling over badly, not to mention the exhaust manifold was glowing... im wondering if these two things could be linked by a possible timing issue?  How can i test my radiator to see if it is working at 100%.  If the radiator is still good, what other things can i try to get the temperature down at low speeds?  I have already installed a lower temp thermostat, but that realy doesnt help at all, all that does is make it take longer to heat up in the morning.
Thanks,
Andy

[FIREBALL]

Sounds like maybe your clutch fan isn't working. At speed the air is moving through on it's own, but slower the fan isn't pulling it through.
If it's the radiator, sometimes when it's warm you can feel around on the radiator and find cool spots. It should be pretty much the same temp everywhere.

[86turboyota [OP]]

that sounds somewhat likely.. it doesnt explain the glowing manifold but... How would i check to see if the fan clutch is functioning properly?

[germ]

I've heard that having your timing too far advanced (I think) can cause your exhaust manifold to glow hot. Something about unburnt fuel making it's way into the exhaust. That would be the first place I'd look. I would also flush your radiator, and refill with about a 50/50 mix, and be sure there are no air-bubbles in the system, as that can add to heating problems. Checking the fan clutch would also be on my list of must check items.

Any noise from the engine to suggest a waterpump problem?

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Erik

[FIREBALL]

Ya, sorry, the glow is usually a sign of timing. You may have a combination of things happining.

[79coyotefrg]

how many miles are on this engine??  it sounds like a cam timing problem,  pull the valve cover and check the timing chain, also rotate the engine till the timing mark on the crank is at zero, your cam dowel should be at 12 o clock, with the timing mark on the cam gear just slightly  to the left of 12 oclock

[Toyminator]

How would i check to see if the fan clutch is functioning properly?

The fan should spin (freewheel) easily when the engine is cold and be very hard or impossible to spin when the engine is hot.

I would also check cam and ignition timing  and check for a plugged catalytic converter.

I have no experience with the Toyota turbo's, but I did have a 87 Subaru XT turbo and the exhaust manifold on that thing would always be glowing after extended highway driving. The dealership mechanics told me that was normal on those turbos.

[86turboyota [OP]]

I've heard that having your timing too far advanced (I think) can cause your exhaust manifold to glow hot. Something about unburnt fuel making it's way into the exhaust. That would be the first place I'd look. I would also flush your radiator, and refill with about a 50/50 mix, and be sure there are no air-bubbles in the system, as that can add to heating problems. Checking the fan clutch would also be on my list of must check items.

Any noise from the engine to suggest a waterpump problem?

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Erik

ill be checking the timing as soon as i get a chance... but i think im gonna have to wait till sunday and keep driving it as is.

[86turboyota [OP]]

how many miles are on this engine?? it sounds like a cam timing problem, pull the valve cover and check the timing chain, also rotate the engine till the timing mark on the crank is at zero, your cam dowel should be at 12 o clock, with the timing mark on the cam gear just slightly to the left of 12 oclock

the previous owner rebuilt the engine shortly before he sold it.. ran outta money for the project... so the engine has under 3000 miles on it... which it seems to me to be a little fishy that its having these problems... Hmm ive never pulled a valve cover before, that might get interesting.

[86turboyota [OP]]

The fan should spin (freewheel) easily when the engine is cold and be very hard or impossible to spin when the engine is hot.

I would also check cam and ignition timing and check for a plugged catalytic converter.

I have no experience with the Toyota turbo's, but I did have a 87 Subaru XT turbo and the exhaust manifold on that thing would always be glowing after extended highway driving. The dealership mechanics told me that was normal on those turbos.

the cat is brand spankin new, so its not plugged... it is possible that toyota planned for the manifold to glow but i kind of doubt it... my trucks manifold glowed when i first got it because the timing was way off.  Ill have to check the fan more closely when its hot..

[kneedownnate]

Is the truck detonating at all?  This may be a long shot, but if I remember right those turbos are oil cooled, and if the passage is clogged partially it may not get enough oil to sufficiently cool.  This may not be a problem at speed because of air flowing over the engine, but at lower speeds the air flowing through the hot turbo might heat up too much and pass out the other side too hot.  Just a thought.

[86turboyota [OP]]

ok finally got the thing to quit overheating... the radiator was shot.  New radiator and the overheating problem is gone.