[KimIsAGuy]

So, I've been reading a lot about what's our "normal" engine temperature. Seems like its ~180-215 F. But, I guess what are the driving conditions and etc.

Tried all these conditions with A/C on and off-- and temperature floats around there still unless I push the car/hill climb and you can see the temp climbs. I'm worried what happens if ambient temperature reaches 90-100F. I do want to go camping and whatnot in the summer as well.

Right now, I am floating at:
~195F in 60-70F outside (going 60-70mph)
~190-195F in 60-70F (idling)
~200F in 70-80F outside (going 60-70mph)
~215F in 80-90F outside (going 60-70mph)
~215F while off-roading in 80-85F (obviously low speed)

It's been relatively flat, so idk if I add that road condition in will I overhead climbing a hill in 80-90F. The highest I've seen it is ~215-219F, I try not to push it-- so I'd turn on the heater at this point and/or ease off the gas.

So what have been done on the car so far.
~280k New radiator and clutch fan
~300k Both head gasket
~390k Timing belt, water pump, thermostat (yes 6 o'clock position), coolant flush (for my paranoia I changed to Toyota Red, I don't think it matters)
~400k moved up to 285/75/16 with Taco TRD Pro wheels 16x7 (maybe tire size plays a role in my temp(?) with added stress)
~400k got a Scangauge and now I'm paranoid about my engine temp.
~407k got a new radiator cap (why not?...)

I do sometimes go into water/mud (not that high, still below the rocker panel.) I'm considering something might have damaged the radiator/fan... But the fan looks like it had good resistance still where it doesn't free spin. I don't know how the heater core will play a role in cooling it down, unless I actively turn on the heater to cool things down. It is the original heater core. Also, my heater only have full send...

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

[phattyduck]

Where did you get and what were the brands of each of those components?

A 100% working OEM cooling system will keep the coolant temp in a VERY TIGHT range. Like, 188-192*F under most circumstances.

I've seen mine go as high as 195*F - in 105*F+ temps, off roading with the AC blasting in 4LO. And as low as maybe 180*F or so coasting down long mountain roads at highway speeds (50+MPH). (trans temps, on the other hand, are all over the map! )

There's definitely something wrong with your cooling system.

-Charlie

[LittleCaesar]

Try burping the cooling system.

[jgue467]

something is not right.

Mine even during our hottest months in texas where its over 100 for days on end, while trailering, uphill, engine won't see 198, trans is the same temp yet it can drop to 175 with OD off.

215 would be worrisome to me.

Have you removed the front skid plate and cleaned up between the a/c condensor and radiator?

When I offroad in tallish grass, no matter what it gets up in there, enough of it could slow air flow...

[Dwight_Stevens]

I'm putting my money on a tired clutch fan. I ran through this issue a couple years ago. It got up to 215 a couple times, which I knew wasn't right. I tested the clutch and seemed ok a first, didn't seem to pinwheel or anything. Replaced radiator cap, tried burping and such. Bought an oem clutch and now it never goes about 195.8 with the ac on. Usually hovers in the 192 range.

[KimIsAGuy]

Originally Posted by phattyduck

Where did you get and what were the brands of each of those components?

A 100% working OEM cooling system will keep the coolant temp in a VERY TIGHT range. Like, 188-192*F under most circumstances.

I've seen mine go as high as 195*F - in 105*F+ temps, off roading with the AC blasting in 4LO. And as low as maybe 180*F or so coasting down long mountain roads at highway speeds (50+MPH). (trans temps, on the other hand, are all over the map! )

There's definitely something wrong with your cooling system.

-Charlie

They're OEM parts. Yeah idk what's going on exactly at this point. I'm slightly considering the engine oil cooler, but I don't see any leaks.

[KimIsAGuy]

Originally Posted by jgue467

something is not right.

Mine even during our hottest months in texas where its over 100 for days on end, while trailering, uphill, engine won't see 198, trans is the same temp yet it can drop to 175 with OD off.

215 would be worrisome to me.

Have you removed the front skid plate and cleaned up between the a/c condensor and radiator?

When I offroad in tallish grass, no matter what it gets up in there, enough of it could slow air flow...

No, it's mainly dirt. Maybe mud. I rinsed the AC condenser off after every trip. But I'll take the skids and make sure. Thanks!

[KimIsAGuy]

Originally Posted by Dwight_Stevens

I'm putting my money on a tired clutch fan. I ran through this issue a couple years ago. It got up to 215 a couple times, which I knew wasn't right. I tested the clutch and seemed ok a first, didn't seem to pinwheel or anything. Replaced radiator cap, tried burping and such. Bought an oem clutch and now it never goes about 195.8 with the ac on. Usually hovers in the 192 range.

Yeah, the fan clutch doesn't pin wheel. It is next in line for replacing that part, hopefully it'd fix the problem.


Will update you guys all once the part comes in.

[gamefreakgc]

215 at highway speeds means you've either got a blockage, a failing part or like mentioned above, air in the system. Park on a driveway, let it cool down and open the cap. You should see coolant all the way to the top. Your reservoir should be at the fill mark. If not, fill both and see if that solves it. You didn't say if your reservoir is at the fill line or not, that's a crucial part that can help us diagnose.

[KimIsAGuy]

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

215 at highway speeds means you've either got a blockage, a failing part or like mentioned above, air in the system. Park on a driveway, let it cool down and open the cap. You should see coolant all the way to the top. Your reservoir should be at the fill mark. If not, fill both and see if that solves it. You didn't say if your reservoir is at the fill line or not, that's a crucial part that can help us diagnose.

I’m thinking the same. I just got a new fan clutch in, seems a bit stiffer than the newer one. And while I’m at it, oil change. I’m just gonna reburp the system, why not? No air bubbles coming up. Also at an incline and once it warmed up, I revved it lightly as well.

We’ll see what’s gonna happen. Worst comes to it, new radiator? Next to the fan clutch that’s the oldest part thus far.


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[KimIsAGuy]

Oh sorry. Reservoir is at the midway mark.

But, test drove it with the new fan clutch. I did see a bit lower temp. But, I’m at 198-202F at like 70F.m— with speed ranging from 25-60mph. Temperature doesn’t seem as stable as it should be... only thing left to swap out is the radiator itself.


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[19963.4lsr5]

Originally Posted by KimIsAGuy

Oh sorry. Reservoir is at the midway mark.

But, test drove it with the new fan clutch. I did see a bit lower temp. But, I’m at 198-202F at like 70F.m— with speed ranging from 25-60mph. Temperature doesn’t seem as stable as it should be... only thing left to swap out is the radiator itself.


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When I was trying to purposely raise the engine temp I had to block off almost 70% of the rad to get temp to 195 on a fresh engine with new Radiator. I made it to 193 in stop and go traffic. Open road was still 191

Edit I found my post and picture.





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[KimIsAGuy]

Originally Posted by 19963.4lsr5

When I was trying to purposely raise the engine temp I had to block off almost 70% of the rad to get temp to 195 on a fresh engine with new Radiator. I made it to 193 in stop and go traffic. Open road was still 191

Edit I found my post and picture.





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Yeah going on an incline on the freeway going 60mph. I went up to 207F. I am definitely going to overheat if I did what you did.

I am going to look for a new radiator. Just going to go OEM.


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[19963.4lsr5]

Originally Posted by KimIsAGuy

Yeah going on an incline on the freeway going 60mph. I went up to 207F. I am definitely going to overheat if I did what you did.

I am going to look for a new radiator. Just going to go OEM.


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Mine is a Denso from Amazon. You can see how much I had to block to get the temp to rise. It’s a good Rad.


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[KimIsAGuy]

Alright, update time! New radiator is in (I also re-pipe my transmission cooler to run to the external/internal cooler while I was at it. It was a full bypass before, but being in OR I can see that it takes a bit for the transmission to warm up.) Engine Temperature holding at 190-193F so far. It hasn't been hot in OR for a minute now, but temperature is solid. No crazy fluctuation based on driving conditions.

188F if I'm coasting downhill.
190F normal driving.
191F if I'm pushing a bit or going uphill.
193F is only when I turn off the car and the OBDII reader is on for that slight moment and obviously the fan clutch stops spinning, so temp goes to 193F.

Though, I am curious to why my radiator gave out like that? It's not that old of a radiator. This would be the 2nd time I replaced it, I'm at 408K on the motor. I hope it's just a bad radiator and the problem didn't spread to the engine or so.

Thanks guys for the help! Much appreciated.