Engine Temp Varies..

metal22lica · 08-15-2003, 04:33 AM

ok guys...my normal engine is a little less that half way. lately down here in FL its been hot, but this just started. my engine temp will go up and down. it use to hold constant. it seems like this only happens when i come to a stop. then once i start to go again..it will cool back down. anyone have any ideas on what it could be? thanks guys.

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mtnfreak · 08-15-2003, 07:09 AM

Check to see if your fan is slipping. Sounds like it's not moving enough air on it's own to keep the engine cool. Another possibility is the water pump not moving enough coolant. When you come to a stop, put the tranny in neutral and rev the engine to about 2500rpm and see if that helps any.

rimpainter.com · 08-15-2003, 07:24 AM

Sounds like the thermostat to me.

dusty98 · 08-15-2003, 09:40 AM

Do you hear your fan running? When that fan clutch locks and the fan starts turning the truck should be noticeably louder as well as a little less on power.
My fan comes on when I first start it till it warms up, then anytime I run the A/C or sit in traffic.
One way to test it is when the truck get hots, turn the engine off, pop the hood and try to spin the fan by hand. If it freewheels when the truck is hot, the fan clutch is probably bad.
Let us know what you find...

metal22lica · 08-15-2003, 12:17 PM

the fan is running, and i just had the fan clutch replaced. would it have anything to do with the amount of water that is in the over flow tank??

rimpainter.com · 08-15-2003, 01:01 PM

What matters is the cold level of fluid in your radiator, not the overflow.

When cold, make sure you have sufficient coolant. If you do, move on to the thermostat - I'll bet that's what it is.

metal22lica · 08-15-2003, 01:07 PM

ok..sorry to sound stupid..but how do i check the fluid level in my radiator?? i cant believe i am asking this...

rimpainter.com · 08-15-2003, 01:10 PM

Just take off the cap when the engine is cold, and verify that the coolant is up to the bottom of the neck. If not, mix a 50/50 solution of coolant and Distilled water, and fill it up.

"Cat-O-Leen" · 08-15-2003, 01:25 PM

As the car is running, you may be able to feel the bottom hose of the radiator. It should be cooler than the top hose to the radiator. Also try to feel for a vibration in the hose to let you know that the fluid is circulating to the engine.

What kind of coolant do you use?

Have you had your radiator flushed lately?

I read that dex cool crystalizes when it boils off. This can clog up parts of the radiator.

metal22lica · 08-15-2003, 01:27 PM

i just had the fan clutch and the radiator replaced when the fan clutch broke and tore up my radiator. this was about 3 or so months ago.

rimpainter.com · 08-15-2003, 01:35 PM

And these symptoms are just now surfacing? Did you get any kind of warranty where you had this work done?

Sounds fishy that you had this work done and you are getting some cooling system problems...

metal22lica · 08-15-2003, 02:03 PM

yeah..this just started to happen. i just went out and fill up the radiator and the overflow tank. i will have to see what happens. i came home from work today and it didnt do it. i got 90 days on the work, but like i said this just started to happen. hmmm...

"Cat-O-Leen" · 08-15-2003, 07:07 PM

Maybe they didn't fill the radiator up all the way. I changed mine out about a year ago. When I did, I had some bubbles in the system that had to work through. Finally the system worked the air into the radiator which made it seem like it was underfilled.

After you run your vehicle and you come to the front, do you smell any anti freeze? Then you would know you had a leak. They could be pin holes where it never leaves fluid on the ground and boils off when you run it.

Hopefully it's the first option. I really sucks being on the road, sitting in traffic and watching that needle go up up up.

good luck

Bumpin' Yota · 08-15-2003, 07:28 PM

You probably already know this bro, but don't pop the radiator cap when the engine is hot.... hot steam can f you up pretty bad REALLY quickly.

dusty98 · 08-17-2003, 05:55 PM

Another thing to check is the radiator drain valve. Its on the passenger bottom side of the radiator. Last time I had my coolant flushed, they didn't tight it. I left puddles everywhere I went so that was easy to find and fix.

KING · 08-17-2003, 06:05 PM

Yup, I also have this problem on my '94 PICK-UP.

I don't care though, I let it run hot if it wants to. If it wants to overheat, then I let it do that too.

I've ran tired of trying to find what's wrong with it, and have had no solutions.

I'm about to change my water pump, if that doesn't do it, I'm getting rid of it or throwing it off a cliff.

But I have many more problems that this is like nothing to me.

As I've said MANY, MANY other times, If I was turn off my truck when it's running after a while, and turn it back on, the temp climbs up to three-quarters, then as I start to move, it cools to normal, but that's driven me nuts. I close my eyes everytime I turn my truck off in occasions of that sort.

I'm not a bit happy with this truck; I hate it.

grtcrowd · 08-19-2003, 09:07 PM

Hmmm....this sounds like the same problem we've had for a while now. Yesterday, I left a post about this.....after many really good responses, I replaced the thermostat AGAIN!

The one I used was from Toyota Part # 90916-03070. (Cost $22.97) We put it on this afternoon, and drove up every serious incline we could find to attempt to get it to overheat.

It seems to have worked! Hopefully, it will continue to do so!

Maybe this will help.

08-15-2003, 07:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
mtnfreak Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 830	Check to see if your fan is slipping. Sounds like it's not moving enough air on it's own to keep the engine cool. Another possibility is the water pump not moving enough coolant. When you come to a stop, put the tranny in neutral and rev the engine to about 2500rpm and see if that helps any. __________________ 89 4Runner, V6, Auto, Some stuff's stock, some's not.

08-15-2003, 07:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	Sounds like the thermostat to me. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

08-15-2003, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
dusty98 Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: stuart, fl Posts: 273	Do you hear your fan running? When that fan clutch locks and the fan starts turning the truck should be noticeably louder as well as a little less on power. My fan comes on when I first start it till it warms up, then anytime I run the A/C or sit in traffic. One way to test it is when the truck get hots, turn the engine off, pop the hood and try to spin the fan by hand. If it freewheels when the truck is hot, the fan clutch is probably bad. Let us know what you find... __________________ 98 4Runner SR5 4WD, Desert Dune Revos, Custom mounted Hella 550s, Yakima Rack 99 Corolla, 38mpg.

08-15-2003, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 993	the fan is running, and i just had the fan clutch replaced. would it have anything to do with the amount of water that is in the over flow tank?? __________________ SOLD??? Never 1990 Automatic V6 4WD SR5 4Runner Mods: Downey 1.5 HDs, Aisin Hubs, CD, CB with a 4' Firestik, Husky Liners, Maglite Mod, 2nd Gen Airbox Mod, K&N filter and a Smittybilt Brush Guard with 4 lights. Next: Rims? Shocks? Exhaust? PICS -Corey

08-15-2003, 01:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	What matters is the cold level of fluid in your radiator, not the overflow. When cold, make sure you have sufficient coolant. If you do, move on to the thermostat - I'll bet that's what it is. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

08-15-2003, 01:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 993	ok..sorry to sound stupid..but how do i check the fluid level in my radiator?? i cant believe i am asking this... __________________ SOLD??? Never 1990 Automatic V6 4WD SR5 4Runner Mods: Downey 1.5 HDs, Aisin Hubs, CD, CB with a 4' Firestik, Husky Liners, Maglite Mod, 2nd Gen Airbox Mod, K&N filter and a Smittybilt Brush Guard with 4 lights. Next: Rims? Shocks? Exhaust? PICS -Corey

08-15-2003, 01:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	Just take off the cap when the engine is cold, and verify that the coolant is up to the bottom of the neck. If not, mix a 50/50 solution of coolant and Distilled water, and fill it up. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

08-15-2003, 01:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
"Cat-O-Leen" Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 169	As the car is running, you may be able to feel the bottom hose of the radiator. It should be cooler than the top hose to the radiator. Also try to feel for a vibration in the hose to let you know that the fluid is circulating to the engine. What kind of coolant do you use? Have you had your radiator flushed lately? I read that dex cool crystalizes when it boils off. This can clog up parts of the radiator.

08-15-2003, 01:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 993	i just had the fan clutch and the radiator replaced when the fan clutch broke and tore up my radiator. this was about 3 or so months ago. __________________ SOLD??? Never 1990 Automatic V6 4WD SR5 4Runner Mods: Downey 1.5 HDs, Aisin Hubs, CD, CB with a 4' Firestik, Husky Liners, Maglite Mod, 2nd Gen Airbox Mod, K&N filter and a Smittybilt Brush Guard with 4 lights. Next: Rims? Shocks? Exhaust? PICS -Corey

08-15-2003, 01:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	And these symptoms are just now surfacing? Did you get any kind of warranty where you had this work done? Sounds fishy that you had this work done and you are getting some cooling system problems... __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

08-15-2003, 02:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 993	yeah..this just started to happen. i just went out and fill up the radiator and the overflow tank. i will have to see what happens. i came home from work today and it didnt do it. i got 90 days on the work, but like i said this just started to happen. hmmm... __________________ SOLD??? Never 1990 Automatic V6 4WD SR5 4Runner Mods: Downey 1.5 HDs, Aisin Hubs, CD, CB with a 4' Firestik, Husky Liners, Maglite Mod, 2nd Gen Airbox Mod, K&N filter and a Smittybilt Brush Guard with 4 lights. Next: Rims? Shocks? Exhaust? PICS -Corey

08-15-2003, 07:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
"Cat-O-Leen" Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 169	Maybe they didn't fill the radiator up all the way. I changed mine out about a year ago. When I did, I had some bubbles in the system that had to work through. Finally the system worked the air into the radiator which made it seem like it was underfilled. After you run your vehicle and you come to the front, do you smell any anti freeze? Then you would know you had a leak. They could be pin holes where it never leaves fluid on the ground and boils off when you run it. Hopefully it's the first option. I really sucks being on the road, sitting in traffic and watching that needle go up up up. good luck

08-15-2003, 07:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bumpin' Yota Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 3,639	You probably already know this bro, but don't pop the radiator cap when the engine is hot.... hot steam can f you up pretty bad REALLY quickly. __________________ 3vze, 4x4, sr5, 90, auto, LSD 2x dB Drag World Finalist 2003 Nopi Nat. Street B champ 2004 SBN Street C champ 2004 SBN Advncd NW Champ 2004 Former WR Holder in NW. SPL: 159.8db @ 42hz In loving memory of Jamie Riggs 5/15/85 - 10/8/04

08-17-2003, 05:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
dusty98 Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: stuart, fl Posts: 273	Another thing to check is the radiator drain valve. Its on the passenger bottom side of the radiator. Last time I had my coolant flushed, they didn't tight it. I left puddles everywhere I went so that was easy to find and fix. __________________ 98 4Runner SR5 4WD, Desert Dune Revos, Custom mounted Hella 550s, Yakima Rack 99 Corolla, 38mpg.

08-17-2003, 06:05 PM	#16 (permalink)
KING Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: PEORIA, AZ Posts: 1,853	Yup, I also have this problem on my '94 PICK-UP. I don't care though, I let it run hot if it wants to. If it wants to overheat, then I let it do that too. I've ran tired of trying to find what's wrong with it, and have had no solutions. I'm about to change my water pump, if that doesn't do it, I'm getting rid of it or throwing it off a cliff. But I have many more problems that this is like nothing to me. As I've said MANY, MANY other times, If I was turn off my truck when it's running after a while, and turn it back on, the temp climbs up to three-quarters, then as I start to move, it cools to normal, but that's driven me nuts. I close my eyes everytime I turn my truck off in occasions of that sort. I'm not a bit happy with this truck; I hate it.

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08-19-2003, 09:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
grtcrowd Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 20	Hmmm....this sounds like the same problem we've had for a while now. Yesterday, I left a post about this.....after many really good responses, I replaced the thermostat AGAIN! The one I used was from Toyota Part # 90916-03070. (Cost $22.97) We put it on this afternoon, and drove up every serious incline we could find to attempt to get it to overheat. It seems to have worked! Hopefully, it will continue to do so! Maybe this will help.