Blew out the air filter at work yesterday due to 1000k of dusty dirt roads on our last trip. Noticed the
overflow bottle for the radiator empty, extremely strange never uses
water,(was full during our trip)First thought was head/ gasket. Refilled the bottle and also topped up radiator, top
tank down about 1/3. New some thing wasn't right so today drove it from Penrith to Seven hills (about 35k) this afternoon to pick up our 2 year old from in-laws, Kept an eye on gauge all the way there, nothing unusual sat just under 1/2 way as usual and I gave it some here and there 110, quick squirt to 130, back to 110, back to 120 etc just to put it under some load and see if any thing noticeable. Got to in-laws turned motor off popped bonnet, mmmmmm
overflow bottle full to the top, checked under passengers guard noticed bit damp here and there so obviously was spitting out while driving. Rang a mate (mechanic) told him reckons the radiator is probably blocked, and with the
water pump sucking from bottom hose then pushing back out through the top hose back into radiator he said if blocked it has no where else to go except out the cap under pressure as it cant pass through the radiator fins quick enough and has gone into
overflow bottle ?? He said if head was gone it would be running hot/or hotter then normal, would have a rough idle on start up (it doesn't) and possible oil/
water mix either way, no condensation out exhaust. The last trip we did (got back last week haven't driven the vehicle till yesterday) the road had heaps of ruts and potholes you could sink the wheel in if you wern't careful. Radiator has always had genuine coolant in it BUT the radiator has never been removed, only flushed when coolant has been changed. Prior to me buying the vehicle it was a shopping trolley/school bus (previous owner). I'm thinking with all the ruts potholes etc it had dislodged crap from within the radiator causing it to obviously partly block (other wise there would be no
water flow at all and it would be running hot) What's your thoughts ?? I have pulled radiator out and taking to radiator
shop tomorrow to get it flushed and checked out. It is an 01 Toyota prado turbo diesel (1kz motor) with 103k on it. Heres hoping its not the head but if it is
well wont be whining just have to get it fixed. I'm Replacing all hoses, thermostat, cap (keep old ones for spares) will also flush the block, heater core etc prior to radiator going back in.......I have heard of these engines blowing heads but usually with higher klms, but some of the stories are like usual, mums cousins aunts uncles prado blew a head and was never thrashed and service every 5k. Have probably read about 10 from actual owners that have had issues, ratio not to bad considering the amount of prados on the road. Regards Steve M