98 Runner Engine gets so hot???

[MacNC]

I have a 1998 4Runner, 6 cyl, 5 speed with 273000 miles on it. Love it to death, but the engine gets a little hot. The gauge shows the same temps since the day I bought it new. It has over heated a couple times, driving the beach on the Outer Banks, but nothing else. I have recently replaced the radiator (even looked for a bigger one...no luck) and flushed the system, put in a new thermostat and installed a fan to blow air over it when I am in the beach sand, but the times I needed to turn the fan on have been few and far between. The engine has always put off a lot of heat, but lately it feels hotter.

So my questions are: Is this normal for a 4Runner? Is there anything else I can do to help cool the engine?

I have 2 more fishing trips planned for the Outer Banks and want to do all I can to keep from over heating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mac

 

[XJeepguy]

1. Is your clutch fan operating correctly ?

2. Have you ever verified the actual temp with some other temp. gauge than the factory one ?

Exhaust restriction and improper coolant circulation and many other things can cause this .

 

[MacNC]

Thanks, clutch fan works corretly, I need to check actual temp.

 

[Elton H]

last time it had a water pump ?