Thermostat install

[repo]

The FSM says install with the jiggle valve downward. When I removed the old one the jiggle valve was at the top. This was the way it was installed (12 o'clock) by a Toyota dealer 100k ago.

So do I put it at the bottom (6 o'clock)? I assume this is the jiggle valve, the rattling nub thing at the top here:

BTW this was kind of a pain in the ass. The whole bolt came out instead of the nut on the first one, and way more coolant spilled out than I expected.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

6 o'clock

 

[jreask]

The general consensus is between 5 and 6 o'clock. There are several threads about this. Search is your best first option.

 

[repo]

The general consensus is between 5 and 6 o'clock. There are several threads about this. Search is your best first option.

I did search on google and there is not much consensus. Haynes and autozone said 12 o'clock and a tacoma writeup said 12. Then another write up said 6 and the FSM says 6. But mine was at 12 to start with. I will go with 6 though as per the fsm.

 

[jreask]

If you use the google search box at the top of the forum page, it searches this forum for results. Hope this helps you.

 

[animator]

Since that's near the bottom of the engine, practically ALL the coolant will drain out if you remove the housing. Drain the system first, then take the housing off and you'll save yourself some headache...

 

[repo]

Since that's near the bottom of the engine, practically ALL the coolant will drain out if you remove the housing. Drain the system first, then take the housing off and you'll save yourself some headache...

I had drained the system already because I'm replacing the radiator and hoses and was expecting a dribble so I had a cloth under it, but a few hundred ml poured out when I broke the seal on the gasket. Got it back together now with the valve at 6 o'clock.

 

[4gunner01]

I did search on google and there is not much consensus. Haynes and autozone said 12 o'clock and a tacoma writeup said 12. Then another write up said 6 and the FSM says 6. But mine was at 12 to start with. I will go with 6 though as per the fsm.

My 3rd gen 4Runner has always ran between 185 - 195 degrees since I’ve owned it for the last 8 years. Last week I had a new timing belt, water pump, and thermostat installed. On the drive home after picking up my car from the shop I noticed on the OBD scanner it was running 195 - 205 degrees. Same for the drive to and from work the next day.

A quick search through these forums and I found that the FSM Manuel says for the jiggle valve to the positioned at the 6 o’clock position and that most shops position it 12 o’clock which in return makes the motor run 10-20 degrees hotter.

Today I pulled the thermostat and lo and behold it was positioned at 12 o’clock. After a quick adjustment I now am back to running the 185-195 degree temps.

 

[gamefreakgc]

The jiggle valve is a mystery that continues to baffle all of us.

 

[Endlessblockades]

I believe Tim also supports the Six O'Clock Jiggle.

Years and years later......LOL

 

[pluton]

Last week I had a new timing belt, water pump, and thermostat installed. On the drive home after picking up my car from the shop I noticed on the OBD scanner it was running 195 - 205 degrees....
Today I pulled the thermostat and lo and behold it was positioned at 12 o’clock. After a quick adjustment I now am back to running the 185-195 degree temps.

Exact same for me except it was 2 years ago.

 

[brillo_76]

Yup no matter what anything says. The engines run cooler at 6 o'clock position. It's the Toyota voodoo magic but it is what it is. Been proven and repeatable. So it's proven theory now fact.

Sent from my SM-A536V using Tapatalk

 

[desertegal7]

12 O'clock = engine temp araound 88-90°
6 O'clock= engine temp around 84-87°

when 6 O'clock the cold water passes below the thermostat wax thus heats up faster resulting it opening sooner.
when 12 o'clock cold water cools the wax and takes more time and temp to open.
if you are in hot climate / towing.. put it 6
if you are in cold climate you can put it 12 or 3 or 9 O'clock

 

[maxthebird]

Have owned my 98 4runner since factory fresh. Giggle valve was in 6 o'clock position when I changed it and replaced it the same way. Temperature gauge needle remains just below middle.

 

[mtbtim]

My 3rd gen 4Runner has always ran between 185 - 195 degrees since I’ve owned it for the last 8 years. Last week I had a new timing belt, water pump, and thermostat installed. On the drive home after picking up my car from the shop I noticed on the OBD scanner it was running 195 - 205 degrees. Same for the drive to and from work the next day.

A quick search through these forums and I found that the FSM Manuel says for the jiggle valve to the positioned at the 6 o’clock position and that most shops position it 12 o’clock which in return makes the motor run 10-20 degrees hotter.

Today I pulled the thermostat and lo and behold it was positioned at 12 o’clock. After a quick adjustment I now am back to running the 185-195 degree temps.

Well, we have another believer in the 6 o'clock jiggle valve position. But, there will still be plenty of people that will want to argue about this jiggle valve position even though tons of people with first hand knowledge and experience will try to tell them the correct orientation of the jiggle valve. I've seen this argued so many times. Anyway, welcome to Jiggle Valve Believer's Club.