Intermittent overheating, AC blows warm

Blasting heat actually blows air across a heater core, basically a mini radiator. Its how you get heat in the truck. Uses the coolant.

This works the same as the radiator fan blowing across the radiator, but on a smaller scale. Removes heat from the coolant.

 

Thats overheating for sure.

 

The needle should stay in the center,I live in HOT Las Vegas 115,and both my Tacomas stay in the middle no matter if its stopped traffic.

 

How long have you been sitting in traffic, idling like this in 100 degree weather with the AC on?

 

Heres the update. It dropped from 107 to 100. Stuck in traffic for 2.3 hours. Overheats when ac is on, air is barely even cold anymore. Sweating my balls off, kill me.

 

My truck can idle in 100+ with ac full blast for over an hour and not move from the center...ac suffers though.

 

If im not mistaken , most or all vehicles these days use gauges with perhaps four programmed readings cold/running/hot/overheat

Its not an analogue gauge so its only reading what the computer gives it. Dont think an app will help here

 

Def go to the dealer. Fan clutch may be slipping too much

 

My first car would warm up like that sitting in traffic, it had a bunch of electrical Gremlins one of which was the radiator fan would only work when it felt like it. If I sat long enough it would get close to the red, even in 40° temps. Maybe you have a bum thermostat.

And yes blasting the heat will absolutely help cool the engine, that was my last resort and my car never actually overheated.

 

Bullshit it isnt, I have a scan gauge in one of my cars and I can easily watch the water temp climb and inlet air temp quickly at idle in traffic with the AC on.

OP's initial post was an hour ago so I assume that first post was after some time in traffic and not moving.

He has left that information out of all his posts so what's the harm in asking that important detail?

 

The heater core is just a small secondary radiator. Turning on the heat does cool off the truck. Sitting in 100* heat idling is the some of the most extreme conditions for overheating. Placing the transmission in neutral or park and getting some engine rpm's up will help too.

I don't think you have a problem. It's not hot, just a little warm and it's not gotten any worse in an hour.

 

Going into the dealership first thing when their doors open.

 

Stay hydrated brother

 

Did you leave it idle for over 2 hrs?

 

Funny you say that. I was going to ask if anyone around me has a motorcycle they could drop off some refreshments to me. My water in my bottle is hot enough to brew tea.

 

My Bluetooth UltraGauge app tells me my truck runs around 195 degrees F most of the time. Doesn’t matter what the outside air temperature is. If I get stuck in traffic it will go up to around 210-212 degrees F.

Do you know what the actual water temperature is or you going by the outside air temperature ?

If you don’t have a warning light and the engine isn’t idling rough... drive on

 

A lot of overheating...lol our car blew a gasket twice last year, in Joliet and at gingerman

Also idk about your beater car but ours didn't have ac and it was always moving.

 

You were implying the gauge was not accurate. Im saying the gauge is not figuring out the temp, only displaying what the computer tells it to. He knows its hot, the gauge says so, how will knowing its 201.356 degrees help him out? Shits fucked in either case

 

But it’s not new, it’s a year old with 20k

 

You do realize if he's in traffic close behind another idling car hes also got that heat to contend with besides ambient air. Since most thermostats open around 205 and overheat engines above 235, there isnt a big temperature range to deal with.

If you're not moving at all then I'd shut down the truck till you do.

Curious what the OP's coolant to water ratio mix is, 50/50 is not ideal for eveyone.