Odyssey 4x4

So it uses 2 separate trans. coolers? The truck is at my shop so I cannot go look at it this moment but will be there again Monday to clean the block and head to take it to my machine shop.

Take a look at the oil next time you change it and see what color it is. Mine was an almost milky texture and somewhat yellow showing signs of coolant in the oil. So about 4 or 5 hours later, and a make shift engine hoist, I had the block out of the truck. Everything in the engine looked to be in great shape (other than the cylinders obviously), and the timing chain and sprocket looked almost new. A liquid gasket material on the oil pan makes me think this engine has been apart before, unless Toyota used a liquid gasket which I highly doubt. The only unusual thing I saw during the whole process was something to do with the radiator. In this picture you can see the entire radiator. It has the two main coolant lines, but it also has the two small copper outlets on the bottom of the radiator. I believe these went to the transmission if I remember correctly. Or possibly it is a coolant system for the power steering fluid? I thought a transmission cooler had a separate radiator. Anyways, these two lines did have hoses going to them and I was pretty confused when I pulled the hoses off to see that the one like looks like it is factory crimped. Is there any possible way this thing could still flow?? Does anyone have any info on this?

By port I meant boring and honing the cylinders and the new pistons as well as checking all bearing clearances. The block was just pulled, I will have more pics and info up tonight. Anthony

As stated in the original post, the block will be rebuilt. Also regarding the coolant in the cylinder, this was not determined by seeing physical coolant in the cylinder (although the exhaust port on cylinder 4 had obvious water signs), the head gasket is what shows the water leak in the second picture. You can see the red rust spot where the water had been making it through the gasket and into cylinder 3/4. The grooves definitely catch fingernail but I plan on rebuilding the block regardless while it's apart. It would be dumb not to!

I've put a few thousand miles on my Toyota (1987 Escaper 22RE) since I purchased it. I have restored and fixed many of the things on the truck during owning it. Within the last few trips I have had a few instances of the truck getting hot while at long idles and sometimes when cruising. It also sometimes had a long start and rough idle. I installed a new throttle position sensor since the one on it was cracked. I eventually noticed it seemed to be losing coolant between drives. I have replaced all radiator hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, water pump, and fan clutch to ensure I have a functional clean coolant system. I also flushed the system while it was apart. After doing all of this and driving it for two days I once again had the trucks water temp rising. It was still losing coolant. The next thing I did was let the truck idle, and pull one spark plug wire at a time to see how the truck reacted. I ended up finding cylinder 4 not firing and a fouled plug. Replaced the plug and had a clean spark and it still ran rough. I then pretty much concluded that the head gasket was leaking water into cylinder 4 and fouling the plug and also causing poor engine performance. It also appeared to be putting some water out of the exhaust. The next day I started pulling the engine apart and eventually got the head off. Head Gasket removed, notice anything unusual? It looks like water was making it into cylinders 3 and 4. I was also kinda disappointed to see the cylinders had some nice grooves worn into them. So I will be having the head resurfaced and rebuilt, the block will be ported and new pistons. I may put a RV Cam into it while it's apart and was considering new injectors. Also a new timing chain. I figured some people may find this helpful or interesting. I will update as I continue with this repair. I will be removing the block tomorrow, stay tuned!

Thanks John!

I just took a trip to Cloudland Canyon State park in Northern Georgia. It was beautiful! It was about 1200 miles round trip. The toyota did great. The only problem I had was a lower radiator hose that busted on the way North. We slept at a WalMart that night and got the new hoses from advance that morning and were on the road by 11. I bought a new camera on the way out (Nikon D3200) and the pictures came out great. I figured fellow Toyota lovers would like to see some pictures from the trip. One of the only vehicles in the entire park! This little girl came out of the woods and hung out with us all weekend. As a Floridian, these roads were gorgeous! Pizza for dinner. I love this camera. These pics were taken 24 hours apart! It was my first time driving in snow and I happened to be in my 1987 Escaper driving down a snowy mountain, it was a great time. I'm glad I just installed all 6 brand new tires!

Awesome, I just dove the keys a few months ago. It's a fun place!

I live in a rural area surrounded by trees where houses are a considerable distance apart. Without the antenna I only pick up my home network. With the antenna pointing out of an upstairs window I am picking up 7 signals. Keep in mind the nearest house is easily 500 feet away.

I have one of these and can say it works pretty well. If you have access to an open parking lot with any type of wifi provider within view (mcdonalds, starbs, etc...) you will easily be able to connect to their network. I often do Ebay work on the road from my toyota and will simply park in a parking lot, set up my antenna, and be online within a few minutes. If you feel bad using starbucks wifi, go in and buy a coffee!

On my 1987 Escaper I have two buttons by the door. The one button without the light on it nearest the door turns the light on above the sink. Now the second button that has the red colored light is the switch for the hot water heater. You flip the switch and it lights up, once the hot water heater is on and burning, the light turns out. Check this video out for a demo... Hope this helps.

$80 a tire free shipping, I meant $98 a tire with free shipping

The cheapest I found locally was $120 a tire, mounted and balanced. I found them online for $80 with free shipping but walmart charges $15 each to mount/balance so I am likely going with the $120 locally unless I find a better price elsewhere.

Would it be wiser to go with the 185 or the 195?

Thank you much friends.

It is time for me to put tires onto the Toyota before travels. I had a blow out the other day in the rear on the way home after it sat for a few months in a barn. I have read through all of the tire threads I could find on the forum using the search feature and would still like to get some input before I spend the money. The current tires on it in the front are 185/14 and the tires on the rear are 205/75/14. Everywhere I have called to or everywhere I have looked online can only find a "trailer" tire under the size 205/75/14. I cannot seem to locate anything but a trailer tire in this size. I am kind of curious if the tires on it are trailer tires that a past owner may have put on? Anyways, do I have to stay at that tire size? In another thread on this forum I see people saying they have the Hankook RA08 (LT185/R14). Specs say these are 8 ply tires for vans and transporters. Will this tire size fit my rims in the rear? Can I put this size on the fronts as well so that all six tires are the same kind? Sorry if I sound unsure what to do in this situation, I have never had to find tires for a mini rv yet

She looks clean and comfy!

Here is a video of me opening and closing the awning if anyone is interested.

All stripes, window trims, rims, and bumper were repainted. The old stripes were all cracked looking as you can imagine.

luckily, I found the awning at a scrap yard on an old dolphin. The dolphin was all beat up but the awning was perfect and I got it for $200, which I think is a steal. It adds a good porch feeling to the rig.

My rig was just painted this week Plus a new awning!

So it has been a while since I have done anything to the Toyota but I am back and come with good news. While I have been busy at school this semester, my Dad has surprised me and painted my Escaper. Before paint it was having some small rust issues, fading paint, and some fiberglass wearing through on the coach. He painted the body of the truck, the coach, bumper, rims, and window edges as well as completely redoing the window caulk. Here it is before paint. And here it is after. And finally we were able to install the awning I found at a scrap yard on an old Dolphin. It is in near perfect working condition. Getting ready to test fit. Mounting the brackets. And at the end of the day all is well and shiny. Looking out the window from inside of the rig. Everything went well and she now looks awesome if I do say so myself.

It is pretty neat and has performed pretty well for me so far. The software can be a bit iffy at times. As far as aiming goes I just will point it in a random direction and as long as there are houses/businesses, you'll always pick up a signal. I will just search around to find the highest strength signal and connect to that. It appears to be well built and is pretty compact as well.

You guys should look into one of these. These plug into your computer vis USB and pick up wifi signal up to 2 miles away I believe it is depending on location and interference. They are perfect for if you're sitting in your camper in a parking lot and would like to bum off of a store or houses wifi. http://www.amazon.com/NextG-USB-Yagi-Range-antenna-2200mW/dp/B0044D7J1W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1383027828&sr=8-4&keywords=long+range+wifi

Kim, Refer to the links in the second post of the first page of this thread.