High coolant temps (1 Viewer)

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Onefastrx7turbo said:
Not sure if that little electric fan is up to the task of handling 110 degree potential ambient temperatures with the relatively low CFM rating, hahaha. I even considered swapping it out for a large or higher CFM fan for the benefit of the AC in low speed situations.
Click to expand...

Considering the size of the condenser and the fact that its before the radiator I don't think its undersized, though its more likely that its an auxiliary component thats meant to only supply enough airflow at low speeds and the main fan would take up most of the load. In your case if your radiator temps are high in traffic then your condenser performance will likewise suffer. What I mean is that I think the kicker fan is adequately sized for any AC load at low speeds provided the radiator temps are inline...if they aren't its probably not.

I think once you figure out whats giving you high low speed coolant temps your AC performance will improve dramatically without needing to do any fan clutch or electric fan work.
 
I hope you're correct and by extension, I'm hoping it's a weak fan clutch and swapping it out will solve all my problems. Here's hoping :beer:
 
Onefastrx7turbo said:
I hope you're correct and by extension, I'm hoping it's a weak fan clutch and swapping it out will solve all my problems. Here's hoping :beer:
Click to expand...

While you are in there I would also suggest taking the opportunity to pressure wash the rad and condenser fins from the inside out. I did that with the 80 and found it was pretty gummed up. I got much better cooling and AC perfomance once I did that. When the shroud is off is the time to do it.

by pressure wash I mean a hose with a jet nozzle, not a pressurized water stream like a car wash...the fins are too delicate for a beating like that.
 
Good suggestion. I'll take some time and do that as well.
 
question, how any of you guys have cleaned the bugs and stuff from your radiator?
 
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Mine looks pretty clean, maybe a few here and there but generally speaking, the fins are clear.
 
just asking, cause it could lead some of these problems.

Not sure where mine is running other than the needle showing just below half and never going higher. Would love to hook a scan gauge type system up to my Kenwood DNX893s, but Maestro doesn't show a hook up for GX470
 
yea the stock gauge is not good for showing actual temperatures. From 195F-220F, the needle never moved.
 
coops2k said:
just asking, cause it could lead some of these problems.

Not sure where mine is running other than the needle showing just below half and never going higher. Would love to hook a scan gauge type system up to my Kenwood DNX893s, but Maestro doesn't show a hook up for GX470
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Like onefast said, the gauges aren't to be trusted. They are calibrated to not budge until it's almost too late. Don't want people worrying I guess. They could have just put a light in. Middle at 185 to 225. Move at 230 to pretty much the redline.
 
There is a TSB for '03 – '06 that adds a lot more seals around the front end, including at the radiator, headlights, hood, and "skid plate". It's meant to improve the A/C performance, and even replaces the condensor and expansion valve, but the extra seals alone would probably make some improvement for both the A/C and coolant temps.

Link to TSB PDF A/C PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT June 29, 2006
 
Thanks Langsen! I did some research on this and the kit is about $2100!! yikes! But it does include a lot of parts including a new condenser...
 
Just wanted to update the forum on what I've been doing. I wasn't going to replace the radiator, but I figured it was cheap insurance from a future radiator failure and I also found a tiny coolant "bloom" on one of the tubes. I don't believe it was leaking but I elected to replace it regardless. I also am trying an experiment with weather seal foam I bought at ACE Hardware. It's adhesive backed and expandable, and it was the most dense foam they carried. I was hoping it would seal the gap under the radiator 100%, but it doesn't make a tight seal along the core of the radiator. This foam was much (taller?) that the remnants of foam which was left. Not sure if it will make a difference but time will tell.

I am in the process of refilling the system and I will burp and complete the job tonight. Actions taken were:

Fresh Toyota pink coolant, diluted to roughly 70/30 water to coolant
New Toyota T-stat
New Aisin fan clutch
New Denso replacement radiator
New Gates serpentine belt
New foam along the bottom of the radiator

We are having some rain and "cooler" weather here in the Phoenix area, so once we get another hot day with little humidity, I can do some more testing with my scan gauge. I am confident that I will see lower coolant temperatures, but because I changed so many variables at the same time, I will not be able to cite any one change as the "fix".

foamroll

foamroll

length

length

expanded

expanded

Foam install

Foam install

Foam #3

Foam #3

foam #1

foam #1

 
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Onefastrx7turbo said:
Just wanted to update the forum on what I've been doing. I wasn't going to replace the radiator, but I figured it was cheap insurance from a future radiator failure and I also found a tiny coolant "bloom" on one of the tubes. I don't believe it was leaking but I elected to replace it regardless. I also am trying an experiment with weather seal foam I bought at ACE Hardware. It's adhesive backed and expandable, and it was the most dense foam they carried. I was hoping it would seal the gap under the radiator 100%, but it doesn't make a tight seal along the core of the radiator. This foam was much (taller?) that the remnants of foam which was left. Not sure if it will make a difference but time will tell.

This is the foam I bought:


I cut a strip 29 inches long:


Once released, the foam expands to 1 inch in height:


I cleaned and installed the foam along this crossmember/radiator support:


This is the foam installed prior to the new radiator going in:


This is how it seals along the bottom of the radiator. I know it's hard to tell from this angle, but it leaves about a 5mm gap along the core:



I am in the process of refilling the system and I will burp and complete the job tonight. Actions taken were:

Fresh Toyota pink coolant, diluted to roughly 70/30 water to coolant
New Toyota T-stat
New Aisin fan clutch
New Denso replacement radiator
New Gates serpentine belt
New foam along the bottom of the radiator

We are having some rain and "cooler" weather here in the Phoenix area, so once we get another hot day with little humidity, I can do soem more testing with my scan gauge. I am confident that I will see lower coolant temperatures, but because I changed so many variables at the same time, I will not be able to cite any one change as the "fix".
Click to expand...

Looking forward to your results. Your pics didn't load unfortunately though. I was under the truck last night doing an oil change and I noticed that the foam under my rad is completely toast. I think replacing that will go a long way towards alleviating my temps. I changed out the rad on my 80 and then big o tore it to shreds when they were doing power steering work and I noticed a temp increase until I closed the gap with high temp gaffers tape and it went back down at least 10 degrees.
 
Not sure, thought it was denso
 
Was able to get the pics to load by loading them into the media. If you want to completely seal the bottom of the radiator, you will need foam "taller" than 1 inch in height.
 
Onefastrx7turbo said:
Was able to get the pics to load by loading them into the media. If you want to completely seal the bottom of the radiator, you will need foam "taller" than 1 inch in height.
Click to expand...

Sweet! Thanks for that, I know uploading to the media thing is a PITA. Will have to hunt for some foam.
 
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