Cooling issues only at standstill

I have a 2005 Pre-runner that up until now has never had cooling issues. Here's the rundown.

It can be 110+ and I can have the A/C high recirc going and as long as I'm moving, not even at highway speeds, the thermostat needle is smack in the middle. Once I stop at a light or am sitting, it takes a good 15-30 seconds and then the needle starts rising. I turn the AC off, turn on the heat and sometimes it helps and sometimes it is just heating up too fast.

I figure it is probably the fan clutch but plan on replacing that along with the thermostat and replace coolant.

Any other thoughts?

I didn't think it is the thermostat since it cools while moving.

Any help/experience appreciated

 

Also, it is less than 500 miles til 200K and this didn't start until a couple weeks ago. Luckily I don't have to stop much at all between work and home

 

I think thermostat
but is your fan working?

 

I think it is working. . .I haven't actually lifted the hood to check. I'll have to do that this evening

 

sounds like fan clutch to me ...

 

That was my first guess also, but I always go to worst case. . .it's everything at once! lol

 

Start with the fan, and if that's working, replace the thermostat. Next would be a coolant flush to clean out your radiator coils. Next after that would be water pump, but I doubt it's that if it's not overheating when driving.

 

Yeah, that's the plan. I figured might as well do all three even if I find it is the fan clutch to begin with. Then again, middle boy's birthday is coming up and the dentist just cost me $700+ today, so it would be easy to just fix the immediate issue but I know the others will pop up. I just don't want to have to do the waterpump

 

Thanks for the input guys. . .I just like bouncing this stuff to see other's opinions just in case there is a scenario I hadn't thought of

 

200K on the clock - a long list of possibilities.

Quite frankly, with your vehicles mileage, I'd do a cooling system tuneup if you plan on keeping the vehicle. That amounts to changing any and everything related to the cooling system except the cyl head gasket(s). Yeah...I know - they are part of the engine, but play a huge part in keeping the cooling system pressurized. Assuming they are intact.

Also - read post #15 in this thread. Opinions of a dealer tech:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/97-overheating-issue.227060/

 

Great point. . .I think that is wise

 

fan clutch for sure. If it was tstat it would overheat regardless.

Get her up to operating temp and when you get to that point where its starting to come above where it normally likes to run at, pull over and shut the truck off..... SHUT THE TRUCK OFF!

POP the hood, and grab the fan ON THE NON RUNNING TRUCK.... you shouldnt be able to move it easily or at all if its "hot" and the clutch is working as it should. At least that is my understanding.

 

I had your issue. I assumed it was the clutch fan. The problem ended up be low radiator coolant.

 

jeezus, pop your hood and check the level. It sounds more like low level than any of the other suggestions. anything automotive, always start simple then move to hard. I cant believe it took 12 post for someone to meantion level.

 

Sounds like a coolant level issue to me. I've had it happen where the coolant level is low, and at a standstill there just isn't enough circulating through the system to cool it. I'd follow the procedure to fill/top-off the coolant and see if that fixes your issue. If it does, your next job would be to figure out how the coolant got low to begin with.

 

On a hot day in heavy traffic, you can hear and feel the fan running. It saps your power/responsiveness, and makes a kind of low-ish rumble.

With high mileage, fan clutches do certainly fail.

Easy test (but not entirely conclusive): with the engine COLD, pop the hood and spin the fan. If it feels like its free-spinning on a super bearing, the clutch is shot. If it resists a bit, it may not be shot. Also try wobbling the fan. If it wobbles, the clutch is shot. If it doesn't, it may not be shot.

If the fan is gone, that could be another problem.

Also check the air shroud around the fan.

 

To give you all an update. I checked fluid levels. It was about a quart low but here in AZ it gets so hot evaporation can cause levels to drop. There are no leaks and truck is running fine.

I checked the fan after running at temp and shutting down when temp rose past normal. The fan turned freely. . .the fan clutch is completely shot. . .I will replace it Saturday morning, then probably in a week or two I will replace the thermostat and flush the system and replace coolant.

Thanks for all your input.

 

This was everything I was about to suggest lol.. Good man... Make sure you use toyota SLLC coolant.. The pink stuff lol

 

I had same things happening to my high mileage old 1986 SR5 truck.

The radiator was mostly plugged up in spite of regular coolant changes......and this was the last thing I expected on my "list."

Had to take it to a radiator shop to get it properly cleaned out.


BB

 

glad you were able to work it out! everything else should be good!