normal operating temperature

Hi dustinclm,

I have a 2000 Prerunner 2.7L. I also have a scanguage and i watched it for 2 years settling between 198 - 202F. even on winters. On real hot days even as high as 207F. The needle would be just at the exact middle or a hair below. Recently, my head gasket blew while coming off the fwy and i had the cylinder head inspected and valves adjusted at the same time.

Since then, after replacing the fluid from green to red. (toyota long life?) My temps have been at 190 to 195F. I did replace my Thermostat too. After all that, I figure that once my temps get to 202F, its time to change the Thermostat and replace my Coolant so i can avert blown headgaskets.

the one good thing is i gained 2mpg from this event...

Hope that helps.

CK

 

I just replaced a valve cover and changed radiator fluid and it's stil right in the same spot. I don't think it's running hot bc it's always been like this. Sooner it later I'll buy a scanguage and get an exact temp. Is ther any other way to get the temp?

 

It really depends on what temp of tstat you have in your rig... most common is 190-195 although I ran a 165 when I was in SoCal.

 

3400 w/ 97k.. its been 195 all winter..

 

I've not used one but I've read that an Ultra Gauge will also read the water temps (among other things). I think it is less expensive that the SG too.

 

thanks, ill look into it when i stop buying other things for my truck and rifle....damn mods are running me broke haha

 

Hey. So I took my truck to my local mechanic who has diagnostic equipment and he checked the coolant temp. I had driven it there to get it to running temperature and left it running while he checked the temp.

This is what 190 looks like in my truck:

 

I just got a electric fan that turns on at 185 would this be ok or do I need a diff thurmostat?

 

ScanGauge shows 194-204

 

How do you know the fan turns on a 185*? Is that what is written in the documentation or is that the actual temp it turns on at?

Do you have an ultragauge or a scangauge or are you using the dash gauge?

 

The app for android phones and tablets called "torque pro". It cost $5 bucks, then go to Amazon and buy the Elm 327 bluetooth adabter for $25. For 30 bucks you have way more info then the SGII can give you. It plugs into your OBDII port and wirelessly send data to your phone or tablet.

I have both, the SGII and the Torque app. I like Torque a little bit better. Torque is pretty damn good for only 30 bucks. They have a free version, but don't waste your time. Just buy the paid version.

KO

 

My ultra gauge shows that it usually stays around 192. The highest I've seen it is 198.

 

Mine looks like the pic. I made a thread about this a couple years ago and the general consensus was that its normal. I think the issue is not the actual temperature, but a slightly inaccurate (and inconsistent amongst tacomas) needle.

 

The gauge apparently is just a three position indicator: cold, normal and hot.

What Toyota should've done is replace the gauge with two idiot lights like Subaru did with the Impreza: blue light = cold, red light = hot, no light = normal.

 

Yea that's what is says on the package for the thurmostat I got w the electric fan.

 

I just switched my thermostat from the little valve thing from 12 o clock to 6 o clock. Went from 202 to 188 with scanguage....my guage looks like the pic also.

 

If the fan does actually come on at 185, that would be OK as long as it isn't on all the time. It seems like you would want it to cycle.

 

Slim, whats that A/T P and A/T Oil Temp indicators? I don't have those on my truck... Auto Transmission oil temp?

 

That is an overheat warning lndicator for AT fluid temp. I have read it goes off a 250* and higher.

The highesest I have ever seen mine get to is 235* on the SG.

 

it's 80~81C on my truck
it's so steady that I set the ultragauge to send an alarm at 85C

it's a 2004 2.4L