What is your coolant temperature in Phoenix? (1 Viewer)

[AFei]

Hi Phoenix Cruisers,

I was trying to figure out if it's normal for my coolant constantly run over 210F under Phoenix sun, no matter it's cruising at 70mph on highway. It's even higher at 220+ when climbing from Black Canyon City to Sunset Point.

My 04 LX470 has new fan clutch, new coolant (drained/filled with over 16 gallons of distilled water), new tees, new hoses, and almost new thermostat. I tried a brand new 3 rows all aluminum radiator and now the CSF radiator, but the temperature seems same. Thermostat doesn't matter as it's same high temperature even without thermostat installed.

Anything I miss to get the coolant back to range?

 

[sdnative]

Are you using actual coolant (Toyota SLLC) or just distilled water? Pretty sure running straight water is bad for the cooling system and will not cool adequately.

If you flushed with water, it will be difficult to get back to the proper 50/50 mix since the recommended coolant (Toyota SLLC) is already diluted to 50/50. If you do drain the system, keep in mind there are 3 drains, the radiator petcock, and one block drain on either side.

 

[AFei]

I'm running the actual coolant, not the water. Yeah, I drained from all 3 drains.

 

[AFei]

What I heard is that the water actually has more cooling capacity than coolant. However, it's all same high temperature no matter if it is pure water or coolant.

 

[medtro]

184F with Rockauto fail safe thermostat.
194F with Toyota thermostat.

 

[medtro]

I tried a brand new 3 rows all aluminum radiator and now the CSF radiator, but the temperature seems same. Thermostat doesn't matter as it's same high temperature even without thermostat installed.

Anything I miss to get the coolant back to range?

What was the temperature before new radiator?

What is the condition of the radiator cap?

Do you have exhaust leak?

 

[AFei]

The cap is new with the radiator.
Will check the exhaust leak, but hopefully not. Did the compression test and leak down test not long ago while troubleshooting the misfire

 

[AFei]

Problem is that I didn't remember the temperature before replacing the radiator.

 

[Otter]

My 04 LC runs warm. Sitting on a hot day, I can easily go to 205-210. I've even seen hotter while wheeling. My normal operating temp on a regular day is 190-195. All that's based on my Torque Pro readings.

 

[AFei]

My 04 LC runs warm. Sitting on a hot day, I can easily go to 205-210. I've even seen hotter while wheeling. My normal operating temp on a regular day is 190-195. All that's based on my Torque Pro readings.

I also use Torque Pro. Just hope I could find the cause to lower down it

 

[jahawk]

I run straight water with Waterwetter in everything I have in the summer. I bet that would take 10 degrees or more off of your temps.

 

[peneumbra2]

I ran straight water with Waterwetter in everything I have in the summer. I bet that would take 10 degrees or more off of your temps.

Any concerns with rust issues?

 

[jahawk]

I have not had any rust issues. Waterwetter has a rust inhibiter in it. Unless your vehicle is seeing below freezing temps I see no need to run the typical antifreeze.

Jim

 

[medtro]

I run straight water with Waterwetter in everything I have in the summer. I bet that would take 10 degrees or more off of your temps.

Why not in the winter?

 

[peneumbra2]

I have not had any rust issues. Waterwetter has a rust inhibiter in it. Unless your vehicle is seeing below freezing temps I see no need to run the typical antifreeze.

Jim

But antifreeze tastes better!

 

[toy_tek]

213 is hot but it’s not overheating. Your thermostat isn’t even fully open until 203, so a 10-20 degree overage likely is built into the design tolerance. 50/50 antifreeze has the added benefit of increasing your coolant boiling point by about 15 degrees over straight water, this is critical in my opinion (especially in the desert).

When you’re seeing 220 on i17, is that with your AC on or off?

Have you replaced your pressure cap?

 

[jahawk]

Why not in the winter?

Actually everything but the LX runs the Waterwetter all year long. The LX makes its way to Colorado numerous times during the winter.

 

[AFei]

When you’re seeing 220 on i17, is that with your AC on or off?

Yes, AC is always on. Otherwise, myself will be overheated

I bet that would take 10 degrees or more off of your temps.

When I first noticed this issue, it was running the distilled water. However, the air temperature was higher at that time...

213 is hot but it’s not overheating. Your thermostat isn’t even fully open until 203, so a 10-20 degree overage likely is built into the design tolerance

This gives me some confident not to worry about the overheating or another head gasket. I have a feel that I may not be able to sort out the issue and may have to live with it for now.

So did some more test over the past days. Lowering the speed will help a little bit, but still won't keep it under 200. I can feel the cooling system is working hard to cool down but just beyond its capacity. That's why I suspect the new installed winch/bumper. Keeps trying anyway...