Hi i have a 1984 toyota pickup 22r that has a new rebuilt engine that i just put in today. When i drove it out for a test run the temp got really high just barely touching the red. it very slowly rose though(not sure if it would have kept going didnt really want to find out either). it seemed to stay about 5/8 the way up when just idling which was normal temp on my old engine. I have tried the 195 thermo and gone without the thermo each doing the same thing. Also the radiator appears to be flowing and it burped but has not been rodded and there are no leaks from what i can tell. the water pump looked ok when i pulled it out but i dont know how to check them. Any ideas to what it could be?

 

When you burped it, did you have the front end elevated significantly and heater on? Might be air trapped in the system still somewhere, heater core? Do you know your gauge is accurate? I would stick a thermometer in in the water when you start it and are burping it to watch degrees. Just to give you an idea, mine never went above 195 with the 3 core aluminum radiator I installed, and that was without the e-fan on, at idle (removed fan and clutch assembly). I cruise at about 175-180 with no fan. Might be almost too cool.

 

Can you guys define the term "burping" for those who don't know...like me?

 

Burping would be simply purging the air from your cooling system. Raising the front of your vehicle, I would say so the lower radiator hose is a even with or a bit higher then water pump if at all possible, maybe 20-25*? I have a steep driveway so its easy. Make sure engine is cold. Remove radiator cap and start you engine. Let the engine idle up to temperature. The idea is to allow the air to bubble out the radiator opening. It "burps" out the air.

 

its where u are getting all the air out of the cooling system...... best thing to do is remove the radiator cap, then fire the truck up after u fill the radiator up. turn the heater on hot inside the cab. while truck is running keep adding fluid to radiator. u will see the level drop in radiator when thermastat opens. the re fill the radiator. keep doing this till level stays constant in the radiator.................. thats how i do it

 

Good to know! Thanks!

 

I jacked up the front and blasted the heater and removed the cap the water said it was about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. It is still doing it so I will check the gauge