Coolant Temps - Prep for Arkansas Trip - What would you do?

[rockstate45]

Hey guys, I know I want to overhaul the cooling system but am in debate about whether to do it before or after the Arkansas trip.

The truck runs Toyota red and has at least 3 years/20K miles on the coolant (dunno when or if the PO changed it). It's never moved outside the "middle" on the dummy gauge and in temps like we've had today generally runs at about 194.0*. Depending on if the AC is on and what the outside temp is, it can spike to as high as 203* or so. As an example, tonight as I was sitting in the drive through, temps got to 199.- with the AC as cold and the blower as high as it will go. As nice as the Ultraguage is, it's kind of burdensome because it creates worry when there may not be need of any worry.

In mid April, we went to Arkansas and went up, down, over, and through the hills. The ambient temp was much lower (let's say 70*?) and with 4 guys and a fully loaded 80, I don't think I ever saw anything over 205* and temps over 200* lasted only for a couple of minutes.

Therein lies the dilemma. I have everything but a new radiator sitting in my garage and I'm also down on time.

What would you guys do?

 

[SammyT96LX450]

I replaced every thing except the fan clutch. I run about 185-188 with ac on the trail and spike about 194-198 on the highway running through the hills

 

[half k cruiser]

Wait until you get a radiator, then you only have to do it once. The cooling system is an easy overhaul but can coincide with a lot of other PM like front main and oil pump seals etc. Your looking at a good morning/afternoons worth of work depending on how far you want to go with it. I consider the heater hoses at the back of the firewall and the heater valve as part of the cooling system too.

The only thing I would worry about down in Arkansas is if your running the original rad and it finally decided to give it up on you. The odds are quite slim though. The thermostat will break in the open position and the waterpumps on these trucks are exceptionally well built.

 

[rockstate45]

Wait until you get a radiator, then you only have to do it once. The cooling system is an easy overhaul but can coincide with a lot of other PM like front main and oil pump seals etc. Your looking at a good morning/afternoons worth of work depending on how far you want to go with it. I consider the heater hoses at the back of the firewall and the heater valve as part of the cooling system too.

The only thing I would worry about down in Arkansas is if your running the original rad and it finally decided to give it up on you. The odds are quite slim though. The thermostat will break in the open position and the waterpumps on these trucks are exceptionally well built.

It sounds like I'll be fine - the system is cooling and is probably taxed but isn't "overheating" per se... I know that the AC cuts off somewhere in the 220s - 223 or 227 maybe? So I still have some wiggle room. I'll probably just run it as it is until I can really dedicate a day to doing it and cleaning up the engine bay.

For the record, I replaced my fan clutch last year and now it's running much more consistent around town.

Has anybody had any luck with pressure testing and cleaning the radiator? If so, any local shops they'd recommend?

 

[half k cruiser]

How old is your radiator ? Original ? Also, I think stateside members tend to freak out a little about engine temperatures. However, if you road around in a LC in the real desert, like say, North Africa, then I bet you wouldn't think twice about the performance. Also, if you've ever owned one of the inline 6 jeeps, they are designed to run around at a minimum of 210 and will see temps as high as the 220's on a hot day. You would think this would be detrimental to the motors longevity, but they are one of the most reliable engines ever put to road.

 

[rockstate45]

How old is your radiator ? Original ? Also, I think stateside members tend to freak out a little about engine temperatures. However, if you road around in a LC in the real desert, like say, North Africa, then I bet you wouldn't think twice about the performance. Also, if you've ever owned one of the inline 6 jeeps, they are designed to run around at a minimum of 210 and will see temps as high as the 220's on a hot day. You would think this would be detrimental to the motors longevity, but they are one of the most reliable engines ever put to road.

Pretty it's the original radiator but will need to do some snooping. I've also heard that replacing some of that foam on the shroud will help lower you a couple degrees, so it's worth a shot anyhow.

You make a good point on these motors and the conditions they run them in overseas. I've had the vehicle for almost 3 years now without any complaint from it and honestly, it seems no worse for the wear than the day I drove it home. Barring any catastrophic failure, I don't see why it'd just completely let go on me in the next couple weeks. I'll let it ride until I can devote the time I need to fixing it.

 

[half k cruiser]

Yeah, i wouldn't spend money having the original radiator cleaned out. When it finally gives up its going to split somewhere along the plastic or the seam will let loose. No amount of PM is going to prevent that, it will go when its time.