Overheating during towing

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:23 PM

My 01 tacoma 4x4 3.4 is overheating on every hill when i pull my 4000lb boat. It does great on flat but overheats immediatly on hills. Overdrive is off and ect/power is on. I know its a bit much to tow but it shouldnt be overheating.
any suggestions besides the obvious tranny cooler

MotoXFreeStyle61 · 05-30-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

My 01 tacoma 4x4 3.4 is overheating on every hill when i pull my 4000lb boat. It does great on flat but overheats immediatly on hills. Overdrive is off and ect/power is on. I know its a bit much to tow but it shouldnt be overheating.
any suggestions besides the obvious tranny cooler

maverick491 is definitely the guy to talk to. I would read this over before you go asking questions, if you haven't already. He goes over a tone in there.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tow...ing-bible.html

Ridgerunner · 05-30-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm getting Chris4x4 on this too-but our towing capacity for 2001 V6 is 5000lbs so it's not the weight-maybe your cooling ststem needs attention.

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:44 PM

Sounds like it could be your clutch fan. Are the fluids good? Thermostat good? What color is the fluid? Do you have a tranny cooler?

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:46 PM

it just seems strange that its only on hills. its like the tranny heats up almost instantly and causes the truck to overheat.

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:49 PM

fluid is at the right level and thermostat would cause spikes at other times other than just hills. Fan has resistance when turned off and clutch is not locked up. Coolant is green... I know i know it should be red. but do you think not running toyota coolant would do this?

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

it just seems strange that its only on hills. its like the tranny heats up almost instantly and causes the truck to overheat.

That could be the case, as the tranny is not going to lock up into the lower gears. Have you towed the boat before without isses?

Janster · 05-30-2008, 07:49 PM

Think of it this way... You're towing capacity is 5,000lbs. You're towing 4,000lbs.

When you're driving uphill, that 4,000lbs is a lot heavier and takes a lot more effort. You lose momentum and need the additional power to get it up the hill. That is not uncommon for vehicles being expected to tow close to their rated limits.

When was the last time you checked your radiator fluid? Do you have enough in it? Is your overflow tank at the full mark? What is your fluid rated to? Are your fans working? When was the last time you had a radiator flush?

We had a 99 Grand Cherokee that we towed 6500lbs with to Tellico a couple times. Rated capacity is 6500lbs. Guess what? Every hill, the temp gauge went into the red and every downhill, it went back down again. Typical....but not alarming.

Ridgerunner · 05-30-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

it just seems strange that its only on hills. its like the tranny heats up almost instantly and causes the truck to overheat.

I would advise leaving the 'ect switch' in off position because IMO it being on prevents the torque converter from locking out at 52MPH like it would in normal mode and may cause tranny to overspin unneccesarily

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:52 PM

Im thinking that you need a tranny cooler. I dont think that your year had one.

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:52 PM

first time for boat pull. fluid is at correct level. And that a jeep thing! jk

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

I would advise leaving the 'ect switch' in off position because IMO it being on prevents the torque converter from locking out at 52MPH like it would in normal mode and may cause tranny to overspin unneccesarily

He said that he takes the tranny out of O.D., and I dont think that the tranny locks up in 3rd on that year of truck. But, good thinking.

Ridgerunner · 05-30-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

Im thinking that you need a tranny cooler. I dont think that your year had one.

Where wuold it be located Chris...cause on mine I see a small rectanular one right in front of the AC cooler-is that for oil?

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:54 PM

i agree with the tranny cooler. i just thought it seemed like something else may be wrong. does toyota coolant make a difference?

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

first time for boat pull. fluid is at correct level. And that a jeep thing! jk

Ok then. Add a tranny cooler. Then try towing the boat at a slower speed. You may also want to do as Janster stated and have the cooling system flushed. Also add some "water wetter". It helps keep the engine cool.

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Where wuold it be located Chris...cause on mine I see a small rectanular one right in front of the AC cooler-is that for oil?

How big is it?

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

does toyota coolant make a difference?

It shouldnt.

jroach321 · 05-30-2008, 07:59 PM

Since the tranny did get hot, should i change the fluid now?

chris4x4 · 05-30-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroach321

Since the tranny did get hot, should i change the fluid now?

Yes. Autos are REALLY sensitive to the heat. If you think you got it hot, change it.

Ridgerunner · 05-30-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

How big is it?

If memory serves me it's about 2''x6''

05-30-2008, 07:23 PM	#1
jroach321 Junior Member Joined: May 2008, #6912 Location: Chattanooga Age: 26 Posts: 17 01 TAcoma 4x4 white 2001 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L	Overheating during towing My 01 tacoma 4x4 3.4 is overheating on every hill when i pull my 4000lb boat. It does great on flat but overheats immediatly on hills. Overdrive is off and ect/power is on. I know its a bit much to tow but it shouldnt be overheating. any suggestions besides the obvious tranny cooler

05-30-2008, 07:44 PM	#4
chris4x4 Western Alliance: no longer dead. Joined: May 2008, #6497 Location: Tempe ,Az Posts: 3,331 2007 PreRunner 2007 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE (4.0 V6) OME 885's, OME shocks, Total Chaos UCA's, TSB springs with AAL, 5100 rear shocks, custom built fuel tank skid plate	Sounds like it could be your clutch fan. Are the fluids good? Thermostat good? What color is the fluid? Do you have a tranny cooler? __________________ The simplest solutions are often the most clever..............they are also usually wrong.

05-30-2008, 07:46 PM	#5
jroach321 Junior Member Joined: May 2008, #6912 Location: Chattanooga Age: 26 Posts: 17 01 TAcoma 4x4 white 2001 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L	Thanks for the quick reply it just seems strange that its only on hills. its like the tranny heats up almost instantly and causes the truck to overheat.

05-30-2008, 07:49 PM	#8
Janster Pre Senior Citizen Joined: Mar 2007, #1138 Location: Lancaster, PA Age: 40 Posts: 2,275 2007 4.0L 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab A 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L Advantage Torza top (tri-fold), Husky floor mats, RuffTuff seat covers, C2C hood struts, Homelink mirror, Ipod2car (80gig Classic/4gig nano), Garmin Nuvi 660, Protecta Bed mat, Pop-n-lock, TSB Springs, Scangauge II, Heated drivers seat, Fumoto drain valve, Aries pushbar, PIAA 540 driving lights	Think of it this way... You're towing capacity is 5,000lbs. You're towing 4,000lbs. When you're driving uphill, that 4,000lbs is a lot heavier and takes a lot more effort. You lose momentum and need the additional power to get it up the hill. That is not uncommon for vehicles being expected to tow close to their rated limits. When was the last time you checked your radiator fluid? Do you have enough in it? Is your overflow tank at the full mark? What is your fluid rated to? Are your fans working? When was the last time you had a radiator flush? We had a 99 Grand Cherokee that we towed 6500lbs with to Tellico a couple times. Rated capacity is 6500lbs. Guess what? Every hill, the temp gauge went into the red and every downhill, it went back down again. Typical....but not alarming. __________________ Our Homepage http://www.lieblweb.com/ My truck photo gallery http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=16

05-30-2008, 07:52 PM	#10
chris4x4 Western Alliance: no longer dead. Joined: May 2008, #6497 Location: Tempe ,Az Posts: 3,331 2007 PreRunner 2007 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE (4.0 V6) OME 885's, OME shocks, Total Chaos UCA's, TSB springs with AAL, 5100 rear shocks, custom built fuel tank skid plate	Im thinking that you need a tranny cooler. I dont think that your year had one. __________________ The simplest solutions are often the most clever..............they are also usually wrong.

05-30-2008, 07:36 PM	#3
Ridgerunner Western Alliance: NorCal Joined: Mar 2008, #5269 Age: 47 Posts: 1,511 2001 prerunner doublecab limited 2001 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 2001 with; cat-back twin exhaust,bullbar with hella 550's, camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.	I'm getting Chris4x4 on this too-but our towing capacity for 2001 V6 is 5000lbs so it's not the weight-maybe your cooling ststem needs attention.

05-30-2008, 07:54 PM	#14
jroach321 Junior Member Joined: May 2008, #6912 Location: Chattanooga Age: 26 Posts: 17 01 TAcoma 4x4 white 2001 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L	i agree with the tranny cooler. i just thought it seemed like something else may be wrong. does toyota coolant make a difference?

05-30-2008, 07:59 PM	#18
jroach321 Junior Member Joined: May 2008, #6912 Location: Chattanooga Age: 26 Posts: 17 01 TAcoma 4x4 white 2001 Access Cab Automatic 3.4L	Since the tranny did get hot, should i change the fluid now?

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