Higher temp thermostat?

Gents, I did a quick look and didn't see this question.

I hate how long it takes my 2009 v-6 to heat up in the winter. One option is a block heater. Another my brother mentioned: replace the thermostat with a higher-temp one. He says my engine should heat up faster with that.

I call shenanigans on the thermostat "fix" since the engine takes forever to reach a temp high enough to heat the vehicle to begin with.

Opinions? Facts? Lies?

Thanks!

 

Nailed it.

The block heater is a good option.

 

regardless of therm. temp the vehicle engine still heats at the same rate, just will run hotter for longer before opening the therm. this could also cause cooling issues in the summer. You could always go with something like a remote start and start it before entering it, and letting it warm up. That is if your interested in that sort of thing.

 

I think its just something we have to live with.

 

Replacing the thermostat may help, but replace it with the same type.

If your current thermostat is stuck partially open, or malfunctioning so that it does not fully close, then that would cause your truck to take longer to warm up.

ETA: Zombie thread, sorry, I was looking up some information and then left the tabs open, and when I came back thought it was a current thread. Oops!

 

Never replace with a higher temp thermostat unless you want to be replacing heads! With aluminium heads you run a very high risk of warping. then you will be in some deep shit!

 

Whats the mix ratio on the coolant? If its 50/50 that shoun't be a problem, lower radiator hose heater?

 

X2

Lower temp t-stat will just cause lower operating temp once it's warmed up. That is not a good thing on a modern engine. You want it all the way warmed up to burn off moisture in the oil. These engines cannot handle sludge in the oil system.

Edit: oops, you said higher temp. In that case, I agree with the poster above who believes you will be doing a headgasket or heads in short order. Leave the thermostat alone. Changing a thermostat isn't going to make it warm up faster. It does not produce heat, just causes it to be retained once warmed up.

 

X2

 

Because of the design of the 1GR engine being aluminium block and heads, heat transfer is much better from the heads to block, making overheating less common of a problem and less severe when it does happen. A higher temp thermostat won't solve the problem of prolonged warm-up as its job is to regulate the temp at a certain level, not to create more heat. An electric fan will allow the engine to warm-up faster because the air is not constantly being pushed over the block and cooling it. The electric fan runs only when it needs to. I picked up the Flex-a-lite unit on Summit for $360. I have the fan thermostat set at about 202 degrees and have no problems with it. If the price isn't too bad and you don't mind picking a few mpg and HP+TQ, not to motion the throttle response is better as well, the electric fan is a great upgrade and will better your problem of warm-up time. I noticed a significant difference in how little it takes to warm-up even in the dead of winter here, picked up a few mpg's, and certainly feels a lil stronger running as well.

 

Since other Tacomas (like mine) do not take an excessive amount of time to warm up, I do not think it is the fan. The stock fan is designed to nearly freewheel at low temps (once the fluid circulates inside the fan clutch) and to engage at higher temps.

I suspect a partially stuck open thermostat if there is a noticeable difference between the OP's truck and others.