FJ60 Running Hot - Or Maybe Not!

[FlyingMuleRider]

After replacing my radiator w/ a new Mishimoto aluminum radiator, new water pump, new thermostat, flushed system, replaced every single hose and refilled w/ toyota coolant I was anxious to see how it was gong to perform in warm weather.
I never paid a ton of attention to the factory gauge before other than it was generally in the white mid point or slightly higher.
It is sunny and 83 degrees here in Montana today, these included photos were taken at the end of driving up a 3 mile hill and idling in my driveway. Obviously, as others have said in previous threads the factory coolant gauge is completely unreliable.
I am installing a upper radiator hose in-line temp gauge next weekend since I am heading to Moab in a few months but comfortable to know I really don't have a problem.
Just FY- I took many reading w/ the IR gun and it ranged from 185 to 196.
Enjoy - David

 

[OSS]

photos were taken at the end of driving up a 3 mile hill and idling in my driveway.

The gauge picture you showed looks correct.
Driving up hill 3 miles on a warm day then idling always heats up the coolant. Its soaking up all the heat generated from the climb and not circulating very fast - and there's not much air flowing through the radiator while idling.

I would always idle up the engine to about 1000 RPMS after a scenario like you described.
A 2nd temperature gauge installed is always a good idea for peace of mind.

 

[zeeklafreek]

That's pretty much where my temp gauge hangs out at....guess I'll have to get an IR meter. She ran pretty cool on the autobahn all the way back from Wuppertal.
Then I noticed the smog pump/water pump belt was really loose and tightened it up until the smog pump started screeching, lol....backed it off so that it just 'chirps' at idle. I also let it it idle for nearly an hour without the the radiator cap to try to burp out any air pockets but she is till running quite hot during city driving. And when she's hot, there is the occasional halting during acceleration and 'hiccups' during deceleration. I might check idle increase when AC is cut on, I seem to remember not much of an increase so could be an ICS issue? Hmm.

 

[cps432]

That looks really healthy to me. Seems like your hard work paid off.