Ok so I got a new obd reader and decided to get some readings from it and today and the last couple days I've noticed that the cursing temperature is at about 207f, I've read that some people have been running this too but I don't have any mods and th stock reader on the dash never moves higher then normal.
I have also read that others are running 193-195 on a regular basis so my question is, should I be worried? I live in the Bay Area and we don't get too much heat around here but I also want my baby to last. I'm planning to replace the thermostat soon to see if I can get a lower temp. Also I noticed that when I crank on the AC the temp drops to 196-198 which to me is weird, I had a Acura that got hotter when I ran the AC.
If anyone has any suggestions I am open to any help that anyone can offer. Thanks
Thermostat is probably installed upside down. Turn it so the jiggle valve is at 6 oclock and you'll probably see a huge drop. Might as well replace it and flush the coolant when you do this too.
__________________
2008 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 - Salsa Red, DD, Mostly Stock, 89k miles 2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 - Not Stock, Lifted, Armored, 291k miles 1987 Toyota Supra N/A - Stock, 2nd Owner, 92k miles
Thermostat is probably installed upside down. Turn it so the jiggle valve is at 6 oclock and you'll probably see a huge drop. Might as well replace it and flush the coolant when you do this too.
X2 on this. Flush and get new OEM Tstat and install valve in 6 o'clock pos. Should be fine.
I just finished putting a new thermostat in and made sure the jiggle valve was at 6 o'clock. When I removed the existing thermostat the jiggle valve was at 12 o'clock. My temps dropped from a high of 208.4 to a high of 194.4.
Easy to do and well worth the time
My rig usually sits around 192 degrees pretty much all the time. My radiator is also pretty new and the coolant (toyota red) is only about a year old.
I would check the position of the thermostat first but it wouldn't hurt to put in a new radiator and flush the cooling system. If its an automatic and you don't know how old the radiator is, you should probably replace it anyways to avoid a potential pink milkshake.
__________________
1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
1999 SR5 4x4 Auto for parts
2011 Camry SE V6
2011 Highlander Limited
Honestly, 207-210 sounds a bit high, even with the jiggle valve at 12, or the 'wrong way'.
Last summer my radiator cap broke and I lost almost a gallon of coolant before I realized. I never ran higher than 206, and my jiggle valve was at 12 then. I know Houston is pretty flat and close to sea level, and that helps my temps, but still.
Sound like the OP may have more issues than just the jiggle valve. Make sure coolant is topped off, do a good flush with a solvent, make sure there is no debris caught in the radiator, etc.
Good move on the ODB2 reader, OP. My radiator cracked yesterday, and mine saved me from having to call a tow truck because I noticed the temps fast enough to get some steel weld from a nearby Wal-Mart.
Honestly, 207-210 sounds a bit high, even with the jiggle valve at 12, or the 'wrong way'.
Sound like the OP may have more issues than just the jiggle valve. Make sure coolant is topped off, do a good flush with a solvent, make sure there is no debris caught in the radiator, etc.
I sat at 207 with new thermostat (@12pm,) radiator, cap, hoses and coolant. The trick was to reinstall thermostat with jiggle valve at 6pm position. Right now it's 190 at all times, even during summer.
I sat at 207 with new thermostat (@12pm,) radiator, cap, hoses and coolant. The trick was to reinstall thermostat with jiggle valve at 6pm position. Right now it's 190 at all times, even during summer.
Huh, I guess elevation really does make that big a difference, then. Houston is 80' above sea level and Omaha is 1089'.
I had original Tstat at 12, original radiator, original hoses, and 1 year old coolant that was almost a gallon low, and never topped 206.
I recently installed a new radiator and thermostat on a 02 sr5 4runner. It had 125k miles and was the original radiator and thermostat. When I took the old thermostat out the jiggle valve was @12 so I replaced it with the new one and set it @12 as well. I have an obd2 reader and see 205-215 standing in traffic in the Florida heat. I read this post and immediately opened up my thermostat and turned it to the 6 o'clock position. Now I cant get it above 190! Its amazing how such a simple thing can make such a difference.
What I don't understand is why was my thermostat from the factory in the @12 o'clock position? In the service manual it says position jiggle valve in the downward position.
Here it is:
INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL THERMOSTAT
(a) Place a new gasket to the thermostat.
(b) Install the thermostat with the jiggle valve downward.
(c) Install the water inlet with the 3 bolts.
Torque: 20 N·m (200 kgf·cm, 14 ft·lbf)
2. CONNECT LOWER RADIATOR HOSE
3. FILL WITH ENGINE COOLANT
4. START ENGINE AND CHECK FOR LEAKS
What I don't understand is why was my thermostat from the factory in the @12 o'clock position? In the service manual it says position jiggle valve in the downward position.
It was probably replaced once before and most vehicles' thermostat position's at 12pm so thats what everyone does, which is what I did as well going by what Haynes manual said... Big mistake! Well not really but it's happier running at 190 than 207, I think...