3rd gen 4runner w/ 3.4

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

so basically what im gathering is to rebuild the front of the engine correct? cause pretty much everything is original

 

Did it overheat? Looks like the upper coolant hose wasn’t tightened down?

 

You don't need to take off anything to replace thermostat except lower radiator hose. Remove 3 nuts and it's done.

 

Yes, I forget that. I always see it when I do a T-Belt replacement so I forget exactly how accessible it is.

 

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.

 

never too late to start replacing /upgrading in the engine compartment...