Thermostat - install / symptoms / overheating

[trdcorolla]

Ah good info, thanks. Makes me wonder why people are paying way more money to buy scan guage and other makes that are $150+

The lower priced bluetooth/wifi dongles are great for troubleshooting but if left plugged in all the time, other people can see/connect to them unless they are secured. Also they need your phone to show you info, with a Scanguage, you just look at it and you can get up to 4 values anytime w/o needing to wake up the phone and connect to the dongle via bt/wifi and then open an app.

 

[Mike NXP]

The lower priced bluetooth/wifi dongles are great for troubleshooting but if left plugged in all the time, other people can see/connect to them unless they are secured. Also they need your phone to show you info, with a Scanguage, you just look at it and you can get up to 4 values anytime w/o needing to wake up the phone and connect to the dongle via bt/wifi and then open an app.

Good info, thanks.

I think the wifi cheapy option is a good fit for me since I would only throw it in under certain situations when and don't really need anything for full time use.

 

[Bisho]

My truck is running hot (203-208, seems to settle at 203) and I’m at a loss. I just replaced the timing belt, water pump, fan bracket and serpentine belt. Also had replaced fan clutch 6 months ago and thermostat and hoses 18 mo ago (30kmiles). I did just install the ASFIR front skid, which covers the gap to my front bumper. Before the truck would run 189-193 or so. I’m using OBD fusion to get the temp. Tranny also seems to be hotter than normal. I did blow out the radiator fins with air when I had it apart.

Now, the truck is heat soaked and it’s a warm 110 in Texas. Yes I’m running the a/c. Any ideas? What temp should the fan clutch be locking up? The Toyota gauge looks normal - below middle.

 

[AlpineAccess]

My truck is running hot (203-208, seems to settle at 203) and I’m at a loss. I just replaced the timing belt, water pump, fan bracket and serpentine belt. Also had replaced fan clutch 6 months ago and thermostat and hoses 18 mo ago (30kmiles). I did just install the ASFIR front skid, which covers the gap to my front bumper. Before the truck would run 189-193 or so. I’m using OBD fusion to get the temp. Tranny also seems to be hotter than normal. I did blow out the radiator fins with air when I had it apart.

Now, the truck is heat soaked and it’s a warm 110 in Texas. Yes I’m running the a/c. Any ideas? What temp should the fan clutch be locking up? The Toyota gauge looks normal - below middle.

How old is the radiator? Is your accessory/supplemental fan (electric) kicking on? If you feel the radiator might have some debris in it or picked up a lot of road grime that is reducing its efficiency you can try condenser cleaner as well. I have used the foaming kind to remove deposits of bugs and get built of dirt/mag chloride/etc. out while using copious amounts of water. I was really surprised what came out the first time, even after using compressed air previously.

On the T-stat, the jiggle pin was installed at the 12-oclock position? This isn't so important other than just confirming if there is a small amount of air in the system its moving through and out properly.

 

[Mike NXP]

My truck is running hot (203-208, seems to settle at 203) and I’m at a loss. I just replaced the timing belt, water pump, fan bracket and serpentine belt. Also had replaced fan clutch 6 months ago and thermostat and hoses 18 mo ago (30kmiles). I did just install the ASFIR front skid, which covers the gap to my front bumper. Before the truck would run 189-193 or so. I’m using OBD fusion to get the temp. Tranny also seems to be hotter than normal. I did blow out the radiator fins with air when I had it apart.

Now, the truck is heat soaked and it’s a warm 110 in Texas. Yes I’m running the a/c. Any ideas? What temp should the fan clutch be locking up? The Toyota gauge looks normal - below middle.

Couldn't the front skid you installed be a suspect as well ? Sounds like the rest of the maintenance items check out and that's all that has changed.

Would it run at the cooler temps you mentioned in the past even on those 100+ degree days ?

 

[Bisho]

How old is the radiator? Is your accessory/supplemental fan (electric) kicking on? If you feel the radiator might have some debris in it or picked up a lot of road grime that is reducing its efficiency you can try condenser cleaner as well. I have used the foaming kind to remove deposits of bugs and get built of dirt/mag chloride/etc. out while using copious amounts of water. I was really surprised what came out the first time, even after using compressed air previously.

On the T-stat, the jiggle pin was installed at the 12-oclock position? This isn't so important other than just confirming if there is a small amount of air in the system its moving through and out properly.

The radiator is 8 years old. I didn't remove the Tstat from the outer housing, so its in the same spot as previously.

I'm thinking you may be on to something with the debris. I went through a lot of dirty water in MI and it could be the culprit.

The temps are unusually high here, so I don't have anything to really compare to.

 

[flintknapper]

The radiator is 8 years old. I didn't remove the Tstat from the outer housing, so its in the same spot as previously.

I'm thinking you may be on to something with the debris. I went through a lot of dirty water in MI and it could be the culprit.

The temps are unusually high here, so I don't have anything to really compare to.

Your radiator (and A/C condenser) don't have to have physical debris (bugs, chaff, dirt, etc) in order to have decreased efficiency. A coating of mud (from dirty water) is enough to affect the heat exchange.

Rinsing alone will NOT remove all this. So too....blowing with compressed air will not remove it. Using a coil cleaning product (sprayed from both direction, front and back) will help clean deposits (not readily observable) off of the fins. Then gently rinse that away.

But moreover....the temperatures you cite are nothing to get excited about in the Texas heat with A/C running.

IF you had coolant temps in excess of 200°F idling (at night) vehicle rested then I'd be concerned, but not running around in the Texas heat.

IF after a thorough cleaning you see no appreciable difference then you can look elsewhere for the issue, but you need to have all components of your cooling 'system' working as well as they can.

Double check that your fan clutch is vigorously engaged and moving a good amount of air across the engine.

 

[Bisho]

I was seeing 192 on the way into work this morning (84deg out), so I’m feeling better about it. I’ll try to find some coil cleaner and give that a shot.