02 DC Taco running hot on highway

Where is this documented other than being a nice round number that seems a little hot?.

Driving home yesterday in the TX heat I hit 225 on the highway. Temp needle didn't move. If I didn't have a Scanguage, I would be blissfully unaware as I'm sure some other non-SG using Tacoma owners are.

You're right 215 does seem high, but obviously not high enough for Toyota engineers to decide on providing an alert to the driver that something may be amiss. I'd like to think I can trust their expertise vs. a false positive on the SG.

 

Alright, reviving this because it just bugs me knowing/seeing the heat creep.

Is there any chance it is an oil cooler issue? Plugged coolant inlet/outlet ports? Gummed up cooler itself?

 

Reviving this thread because I noticed dissimilar temp characteristics between my 2001 manual and 2002 automatic when towing.

My 2001 manual would hold 195-198F while towing my 3500lb camper. Temp never budged, it was rock steady. Even up 14000ft grades in Colorado.

My 2002 auto is bouncing around between 186F - 206F while towing the same camper. The only difference in the two trucks, other than trans, is this one does not have green fan shaft. But these temps are while driving so I don't think fan aggressiveness or clutch should factor into discussion.

The 01 had 200k+ miles on it and the 02 has less than 100k. I have an auto trans cooler mounted in front of the radiator on the 02.

 

That's one air flow restriction.

Check for others, like debris in the condensor and between the condensor and radiator.

It's amazing how much junk can build up in there, especially if you off road in any muddy waters or across grassy prairies like fields.

Interstate heating is usually an indicator of restricted/reduced air flow.

 

Brand new Radiator, Water Pump & Coolant mine runs 186-190 on the highway normally on a normal temp day (Anything under 85 degrees).

If the temp is over 90 degrees, Ill routinely touch 195 on the highway. Temp is over 100 degrees ill Get close to 200 degrees coolant.

Rolling through AZ a few summers back, 115 degrees I was seeing 210 Coolant temp.

Based on what temps I see on my Scangauge, ambient temp plays a serious role on these trucks.

 

I think I'd have to agree. My 200+ temps have come when outside temps are 90+. But again, my older Taco never hit 200 no matter what the outside temp was.

 

I got mine from Rock Auto.

 

I flushed the Toyota Red out of my system and replaced it with Prestone over 100,000 miles ago. The Prestone runs cooler than the Toyota red.

Toyota Red (supposedly) just lasts longer. It does not cool better.

 

Gotta love it when you realize your responding to a 2 year old post that someone dug out of the grave lol

 

ive just run into a heating issue myself. just checked my temp going in and out of the radiator and there was only like a 6-7 degree change. i need to flush out my cooling system as well but not sure what coolant to go with? ive been told green coolant but idk what brand is green lol

 

My truck originally came in a auto. And on hot day hill climbs I'd see 230°. And back to normal was 190-195° on those hot days.
With a five speed I'm 180-190° and the hottest on hill climbs is 212°. Hot days are 100-110°.

Maybe a tranny issue for you auto guys?

 

I have a 5 Speed truck and due to an ordering mishap I bought an Auto transmission radiator. It fit perfectly other than the lower radiator hose which required me to buy the Auto hose.

Between the two, I see absolutely no difference in operating temperature per scangauge.