Help! New timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs = higher water temps???

[vthokie]

Today i had my timing belt and water pump changed by a toyota mechanic that does work on the side, so he does know what he is doing. Everything went smoothly. When I was driving the 4Runner home I noticed the water temp on my scangauge was reading 200-204 when it is usually 184-186. You can't tell a difference on the gauge on the dash, so without the scangauge I wouldn't have noticed at all. One thing we found odd was that when we removed the spark plugs it had one pronged plugs, when the sticker on the motor clearly shows that 2 prong plugs should be used...but it had been running perfectly fine before. The radiator is about a month old, and i had been experiencing the 184-186 temps with it before the change today...I'm really stumped here. Everything we changed was replaced with toyota parts. The parts on it before were toyota, except for the spark plugs.

Any ideas of what may be causing this would really help. I'm supposed to be moving 7 hours away from home tomorrow, but dont know if i should make the trip tomorrow because of this. I'm also moving to a mountainous area, so that might raise the temps even more with all the hills so i dont wanna risk anything.

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[vthokie]

He also told us we didn't need to change the thermostat, so that is the same as before... it should be reading the same as before right? It really doesn't make any sense... He told us it could be an air pocket, and to let it sit overnight and see if it happens tomorrow. He also said the spark plugs could have changed it, but he didn't really think that was it. He said it could be because of the radiator cap, but it hadnt been an issue before, so why would it change now? The toyota tech and my father and i are totally stumped.

 

[Atreyus]

Since you changed the water pump, I'd change the thermostat and radiator cap, it's not too expensive and could solve your problem, regardless you should change them out when your changing the water pump lesson I learned about 3 weeks ago lol.

 

[vthokie]

yeah were gonna pickup a new cap tomorrow. We asked the guy before today if we should change the thermostat probably 2 times, and he said there was no need. The thing is that Toyota is closed tomorrow, so we cant get a thermostat to replace ours...

 

[chris360hawks]

You don't have to buy a Toyota radiator cap lol. It's nothing to worry about. My truck reads 180-200 all the time.

 

[vthokie]

yeah the radiator cap isn't a big deal, but he "strongly recommended" the toyota thermostat. That would also help us establish if is there was something wrong with the one installed when we compare it to another toyota one.

 

[Baja Runner]

First thing to come to mind would be if he burped the system. I believe that the system should "burp" itself after some driving around. There is probably an air bubble stuck in there, and causing a false reading...possibly.

What you might want to do is start the car on a level surface, and remove the radiator cap. Let it warm up to operating temperature (just let it idle though, dont run the throttle). Have it run for about 5 minutes and see if air burps out of the system.

 

[Gerdo]

That is what my scangauge also reads. The stock t-stat is a 195 degree. It opens at 195* so there will be a little rise. This is the temp that then engine/computer runs properly. Don't go to a cooler t-stat. It would have a little more power but it will be running rick and get worse MPG.

 

[02SE]

The stock Thermostat on the 5VZFE is 82° C which is 180° F.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Did you replace the t-belt tensioner and the drive belts as well?

 

[Reina]

Dont worry too much. 200 - 204 is not bad. When ever weather is hot or engine under load my 4Runner is around 200F - 205F. Usually at 195F is it is cold outside or idling.

 

[BrianSD_42]

He also told us we didn't need to change the thermostat, so that is the same as before... it should be reading the same as before right?

Is this person a licensed mechanic? I believe you are supposed to change the thermostat if you change the water pump.

 

[alp]

yeah were gonna pickup a new cap tomorrow. We asked the guy before today if we should change the thermostat probably 2 times, and he said there was no need. The thing is that Toyota is closed tomorrow, so we cant get a thermostat to replace ours...

Read this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...c-today-interesting-discovery.html#post782091

 

[vthokie]

Thanks for the help guys. We went ahead and replaced the thermostat with one from Advance Auto because toyota was closed Sunday, and we will replace that for a toyota one in the near future, even though this one seems fine. Currently it ranges between 190-193 which is much better. I believe he is a licensed mechanic... hes been working for toyota for years. He knows his way around them and certainly did the job quickly, but not replacing the thermostat was a little odd.
All the belts were replaced, but he said not to replace the tensioners or any of the pulleys because they were fine...Was that a mistake?

 

[LittleCaesar]

If he said they looked OK, then don't sweat it. You could say replacing the tensioner is preventative maintenance, but I do not know if it is crucial to do so each T-belt change.

And I would not put a rush on replacing the thermostat either, just enjoy the ride.

 

[turbofreak]

If I remember correctly there is tiny hole in the body of the T stat that is suppose to be clocked in a certain position. The hole is suppose to be towards the 6 o'clock position. I heard from two master toyota techs that if it's not placed in the correct position that you may have a hard time bleeding your cooling system.