1998 Tacoma, 3.4L 4X4 5-speed 170k Tacoma is running warmer than usual at idle and while in traffic or driving slow. When I get up to speed and dont have to stop it cools back off to where it has always stayed, right around halfway on the temp gauge. It has not gotten to the red yet at all but it gets very close. The fan seems to be working fine. There is tension when I spin it and it works when idling. The coolant is also topped off. Ive read that it could very likely be the water pump. I need to do the timing belt/water pump job anyway. Is it safe to drive it like this for a few days though until I can get to it? And are there any other things that might cause this I should try before I go straight to the water pump? I was trying to wait a little longer to tackle that but I can do it now if I need to. Its just hot as hell down here in FL right now.

 

And all the timing belt kits I see say for trucks with an oil cooler. Mine does not have an oil cooler. Anybody have a link for one with no oil cooler?

 

Call Toyota with your VIN and confirm the oil cooler or not.

 

My experience of your symptoms was a dirty/clogged radiator or lack of flow. At higher speeds, enough air is getting thru the system to cool it off. I would go thru the cooling system from radiator, fluid, pump, thermostat and make sure non of the hoses are collapsing causing a lack of flow as well.

 

Bad water pumps most often start leaking.

I agree with Terry Blocked Radiator.

Is it still the original radiator??