Hey guys,
I recently did my timing belt, along with the water pump, and thermostat. Everything seems to be working fine except my temperature gauge won't get to the midway point (it moves, but not very high and it will shift down low intermittently), and my idle when warm is sitting around 1200 rpm. I've gone through and burped the coolant system. The inlet and outlet are both warm. I assume the idle won't go back to normal because the temp gauge is causing it to think it's still cold. Any ideas on where to start?
Vehicle is a 93 pickup 4WD 3.0
any help is appreciated.

 

Was the thermostat a Toyota part?? The temp gauge itself won’t have anything to do with the workings of the cooling system it just reads what it reads. I have heard that some
have issues from aftermarket thermostats but I myself have never had the issue as I have always used OE parts when available.

 

I used an aftermarket one off Amazon
Motorad 7270-180.

 

Well poo, just read you have the 3.0, I was thinking 22re, I have read a few threads that the 22re has a dual stage from Toyota that works the best but I’m not sure on the 3.0. Someone may chime in if the 3.0 uses the same type but I’m not sure. If you’re bored I searched thermostat threads and they are endless. Some saying the aftermarket was sticking not allowing the coolant to get to operating temp causing issues. Not saying that’s the issue but it’s the simplest to start looking at

 

You may be onto something there. Did a little digging and the thermostat I put in had additional clips for a "fail-safe" feature, and comparing the old thermostat didn't have this feature. It was still rated for the 180⁰F as was the old one. Worst case scenario I can try to put my original back in and test the system

 

I'd just get a new oem, or at least one branded Aisin.
Thermostat 90916-03079
gasket 16341-35010