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Temp Gauge reading

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by chowwwww, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. Oct 20, 2015 at 1:41 PM
    #1
    chowwwww

    chowwwww [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Billys 5100/Eibach and Wheelers Progressive 1.5 AAL with overload in
    Hello

    I had my truck for over a year now and ever since I can remember the temp gauge on my truck has always seem to read a little hot. It sits just a little pass half way. I don't have a scan gauge so I can't tell exactly what the temp of the truck is, but its been sitting that way ever since I had it. Is this normal for the tacomas? I know all my other previous cars either sat at halfway or just a little below.
     
  2. Oct 20, 2015 at 1:50 PM
    #2
    Kneeboarder1025

    Kneeboarder1025 member-in-training

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    That's the way mine has sat for the past year plus - though it has sat a bit higher the past couple months while I slowly cleaned the radiator from a mud hole I had no business going into - now it appears to be back where it was. I'm running 200-204 with occasional 208 (Engine link app on the iPhone)
     
  3. Oct 20, 2015 at 1:56 PM
    #3
    chowwwww

    chowwwww [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was planning drain and refill the radiator to see if it will help lower the temp.
     
  4. Oct 21, 2015 at 9:23 AM
    #4
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    used to have - 99 2.4L I4 5 lug & 04 prerunner v6
    yep our gauges suck and you have to guess what they are telling you.

    well my 4 cylinder 99 sat just a hair over half way and felt like it was running and cooling well but my 04 v6 sits a full needle width above half and it just seams to run warmer but maybe that's the difference in 4 vs 6 cyclinders
     
  5. Oct 21, 2015 at 10:06 AM
    #5
    chowwwww

    chowwwww [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Billys 5100/Eibach and Wheelers Progressive 1.5 AAL with overload in
    yea. I would say mine sits about a full needle above half.
     
  6. Oct 22, 2015 at 12:08 PM
    #6
    RustyVT

    RustyVT Well-Known Member

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    The temp gauges suck in these trucks. And maybe I'm alone on this one but when I'm just on road driving I'm just a hair over half. But when off roading it goes below half to the cool side. Not sure why, always been like that.
     
  7. Oct 22, 2015 at 12:10 PM
    #7
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    I think that's because you aren't picking up the heat from the road so grass and dirt is a much cooler surface to drive on
     
  8. Oct 22, 2015 at 12:10 PM
    #8
    chowwwww

    chowwwww [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Billys 5100/Eibach and Wheelers Progressive 1.5 AAL with overload in
    Mine stays the same on or off. But then I haven't done any real wheeling yet. Just messing around on local dirt roads.
     
  9. Oct 22, 2015 at 12:41 PM
    #9
    CD20H

    CD20H Well-Known Member

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    Yes it is normal. The reason the gauge is so "analog" is so people don't freak out when they see a big temp differential. If it was a actual digital gauge with changing numbers, you would see posts asking questions such as " My temp rises 10 degrees at stop lights but in normal while going down the road" What's wrong? The analog gauge "hides" the swings in cooling system temps. It's the huge temp swings that the analog gauge will show and will signify a problem. Be thankful for the simpleness.
     
  10. Oct 22, 2015 at 2:22 PM
    #10
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    I would still prefer an analog gauge in 5 degree increments of numbers instead of just a plain "take a guess" gauge
     
  11. Oct 22, 2015 at 2:29 PM
    #11
    Holy schmidt

    Holy schmidt Well-Known Member

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    Mine rested dead center and is about 185-190. Use to sit just above till my radiator cracked and I got a new one
     
  12. Oct 22, 2015 at 2:33 PM
    #12
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    was it an aftermarket or oem radiator?
     
  13. Oct 22, 2015 at 2:34 PM
    #13
    Holy schmidt

    Holy schmidt Well-Known Member

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    Aftermarket company but supposedly oem specs
     
  14. Oct 22, 2015 at 3:30 PM
    #14
    Logger

    Logger out for a rip are ya bud?

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    Just above half. Figure it's normal for the 3.4 and this type of gauge. If the fan ain't coming on constantly you're good to go. My fan only comes on for a minute on cold start other than that its never come on. This indicates to me my truck is running in the normal range.
     
  15. Oct 22, 2015 at 3:37 PM
    #15
    chowwwww

    chowwwww [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Guess my temp is fine then.
     
  16. Oct 22, 2015 at 4:06 PM
    #16
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    The thermostat may have been installed improperly. When I changed mine it was running just over 200. I rotated it so the jiggle valve or whatever was on the opposite (can't remember which way it's supposed to be now) and it ran normal at 186-192. If you haven't changed it since you bought it, I would do that and make sure the jiggle valve is in the proper position. It's possible the last time the po did it, or yourself if you have, installed it wrong maybe? That'd be my guess anyways. Wouldn't hurt to change it and see.
     

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