87toylet

Just curious what everyones 86-95 4runners are running for temperature. Ive got a Sunpro gauge hooked up and runs about 250 regularly, only problems is most of the gauges I find, engine temp only goes to 250. Curious if Im running too hot, or if the gauge is malfunctioning. Thanks for the help.

95RunnerSR5

you are running way too hot....probablly close to blowing a HG...i run about 180 on the highway and never get over 210..... with a 3vze of course

Marc P

Mine is the same 185-210.....I have never gone over 230.

I run a Taurus electric fan.

mt_goat

I've been running 185-203.

87toylet

So I should probably mention that my temp gauge does not set itself back to 0. When the truck is off, its actually stops at 200. Could the gauge just be messed up? Maybe the needle has been tampered with?

mt_goat

Yeah LOL sounds like a gauge problem alright. So let me get this straight, even when you first start up with a cold engine your gauge reads 200?

87toylet

yup.When you turn it off, the needle stops at 200. I never said this thing was a gem lol

snap-on

mine fluctuates between 180-210 but can get as hot as 250 for short periods of time.

my dash gauge never moves off of center gauge (if it does move its with an needle with of center) my sending unit is screwed into the block were the block drain should be on the pass side.

curtiswyant

Hook up a mechanical temp gauge or use a non-contact thermometer!

95RunnerSR5

i got an elcheapo sunpro mechanical gauge. it works great and i pulled the ashtray out and mounted it using the existing screws and holes

steveo2992

i have an electric temp guage and i run 185-210 with 3vze

rdlsz24

My 22RE runs at 190 on the highway.

Rob

Tim_Snapple76

I dont want to hijack your thread, but is it normal for a 3.0 auto to start to overheat (by the dummy gauge) after sitting of for a few minutes? Sometimes i'll pull in the drive through and want to eat & it will start to overheat. Especially if you leave it running longer than 10 minutes. Could this be a serious problem that needs to be addressed?... Mine seems to run just below the middle mark everywhere while im driving all the time except after extended period at idle or slow moving traffic.Tim

dcg9381

Yes.. If it's at normal temperature when running, it's fine.
The sensor and surrounding area get "heat soaked" when it's not flowing water.

Tim_Snapple76

So even if my dummy guage reads red hot, its really just fine at that point(as long as i have plenty of coolant of course) & im idling. Thanks for the quick reply dcg9381. Tim

dcg9381

Just so we're not miscommunicating.
If you're reading normal while the truck is running, you're fine.
It's normal for the gauge to "creep" after you turn it off - especially with the aftermarket gauges. Most of them use standard "GM" sensor which have a lot of brass in them. The brass heat soaks easily.

It's not OK for the truck to run hot at idle. If the gauge runs hot because it's off, it should cool down quickly at idle.

curtiswyant

Again, for those with gauge problems, use a laser thermometer to check for hot spots on your engine/radiator. It will tell you the real ambient temperature...also useful for diagnosing sticky brakes etc!

dstrick32

Tim is is not normal for the engine to overheat while idling. Sounds like you need to check the fan clutch.

Tim_Snapple76

Thanks for the help guys. As soon as i get it out of the transmission shop next week i'll have to replace that also. Man my checkbook is hurtin!