Running Temp question
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Running Temp question
So I upgraded my 1992 4runner to a 2003 4runner and a 1988 Supra turbo. I think I got a good deal in general since the 1992 was pretty much stock with good tires.
The new truck drives great all summer and I even towed a 1995 camaro for my friend and the v6 didn't have an issue at all. I plan on switching the 4 speed auto to a 5 speed and depending on what I Find for what price i Find it I might trade out the whole motor since my new truck has 300 000 kms/ 187 500 miles.
During the summer I was getting 9.5 L/100km (24.75 mpg/us). I tested the 4x4 engagement and everything disengaged fine. Recently since the temperature dropped below freezing I have been noticing a rapid decline in my MPG. So severe I have TRIPLE checked my 4x4 system to make sure its fully disengaged. I have dropped to 14.8 L/100km (15.89 mpg/us).
The only thing I noticed that happens since the temperature drop around here is the engine cools off VERY fast. Half an hour and i loose my whole temp guage. I assume (yes... makes an ass of u and me) that my thermostat is stuck slightly open and that explains both the fuel mileage and the temp drop.
I will be doing a full drivetrain check again this weekend on my birthday (yahoo time to me) but I am looking for anything else or even a way to check the said items before I spend 100 bucks on a 1 piece thermostat/housing
The new truck drives great all summer and I even towed a 1995 camaro for my friend and the v6 didn't have an issue at all. I plan on switching the 4 speed auto to a 5 speed and depending on what I Find for what price i Find it I might trade out the whole motor since my new truck has 300 000 kms/ 187 500 miles.
During the summer I was getting 9.5 L/100km (24.75 mpg/us). I tested the 4x4 engagement and everything disengaged fine. Recently since the temperature dropped below freezing I have been noticing a rapid decline in my MPG. So severe I have TRIPLE checked my 4x4 system to make sure its fully disengaged. I have dropped to 14.8 L/100km (15.89 mpg/us).
The only thing I noticed that happens since the temperature drop around here is the engine cools off VERY fast. Half an hour and i loose my whole temp guage. I assume (yes... makes an ass of u and me) that my thermostat is stuck slightly open and that explains both the fuel mileage and the temp drop.
I will be doing a full drivetrain check again this weekend on my birthday (yahoo time to me) but I am looking for anything else or even a way to check the said items before I spend 100 bucks on a 1 piece thermostat/housing
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well since no once else chimed in on it. It was two things that caused my 4runner to drop in mileage so suddenly. One caused the other like always.
#1 - The damn hundred dollar thermostat. I did get a chance to look at a cheap one that is on rockauto but its not the thermostat housing that they sell at toyota so I went with factory and it worked out great. I should have taken pics of the change but if you cant figure this one out then you really really really really...... really shouldn't be near your engine.
#2 - E3 spark plugs fouled out due to constant rich engine. I thought about going back to stock units but the E3's did work really well originally. I have given them one more chance but if I had to choose I would probably go back to Toyota plugs or NGK platinums as replacements.
#1 - The damn hundred dollar thermostat. I did get a chance to look at a cheap one that is on rockauto but its not the thermostat housing that they sell at toyota so I went with factory and it worked out great. I should have taken pics of the change but if you cant figure this one out then you really really really really...... really shouldn't be near your engine.
#2 - E3 spark plugs fouled out due to constant rich engine. I thought about going back to stock units but the E3's did work really well originally. I have given them one more chance but if I had to choose I would probably go back to Toyota plugs or NGK platinums as replacements.
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its a 4.0 1gr-fe v6 with the 4 speed auto. I will be putting the 5 speed in to get a little better mpg. I forgot to explain that the thermostat was stuck open a little which caused the truck to always be in choke mode to keep the engine warm. The choke mode fouled out the plugs due to the short distances I have been driving lately. I also recently put in a can of sea-foam into the gas tank just to keep the system clean.
The spark plugs I have used are diamond fire tech... let me just link the website for it.
http://www.e3sparkplugs.com/
They really do work but I find that the reputation is pretty low right now. They are still new technology and for the everyday truck that drives more then 2 miles it is an option.
I will be putting on a new set of Duratrac's (245/75r16) and see if the mileage changes but so far this motor tire combo seems to work great in this hilly area.
The spark plugs I have used are diamond fire tech... let me just link the website for it.
http://www.e3sparkplugs.com/
They really do work but I find that the reputation is pretty low right now. They are still new technology and for the everyday truck that drives more then 2 miles it is an option.
I will be putting on a new set of Duratrac's (245/75r16) and see if the mileage changes but so far this motor tire combo seems to work great in this hilly area.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TURBOrunnerNM
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
4
07-22-2015 11:01 AM
Avenged
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4
07-09-2015 07:55 AM