Radiator hose temperature?

I just put a new Danso radiator and new cap in my 15 Tacoma V6. I topped off the radiator and the expansion tank and I have driven it a few times. The fluid level is not moving and the cabin heater works fine. Today, after a 30 minute drive, I went to check the fluid level. I felt the upper hose and it was hot, though I could keep my hand on it comfortably. It was also hard so the system is holding pressure. The lower hose is cold, maybe about room temperature. The temp gauge is solidly in the middle of its range. I'm in Ohio, so it was about 30F. Is this normal?
I expected the lower hose to be hot, just not as hot as the upper.

Thanks guys,
Ian

 

did you burp the system after you put new coolant in? Or just top it off? Sounds like you have air in the system.

 

It's 30 degrees out, a belt driven fan is constantly pulling air across the radiator, the temp gauge is normal and you have good heat at the dash vents

Sounds fine to me

 

Normal. Radiator cools off the delta- coolant vs air temp. The lower the ambient temps drop, the greater the delta and therefore total heat transfer/ rejection increases. In the summer it is 190/80 and now 190/30. Cold air is also denser, so more air in the air. This also increases heat transfer efficiency in the radiator. Ever see the big rigs with cardboard or tarps over the front of the cab in the winter? Radiator becomes too effective and kills mpg due to low coolant temps. Our thermostats are more effective, so we don’t have that issue

 

Ideal fill is vacuum. Minimum is with the funnel tool and front raised up.

 

Thanks guys. I ordered the sealed funnel and I'll give it a try. I'll see if any big bubbles emerge. I will keep an eye on the coolant level and the temp gauge as the weather warms. I am not sure how to determine if there is air trapped in the engine.

 

If there is air in the system, it most certainly would not be found in the lower radiator hose. Air moves to the TOP of the system, assuming you trust what the physicists tell us..

 

When you use the burping funnel make sure to keep the funnel half filled of 50/50 coolant at all times (don't let it go empty) with the engine on, you can squeeze the rad hoses a few times to help push any air in the system out. Let the fan come on a couple of times, letting the thermostat opens a couple of times, and hopefully you will see some bubbles come up through the funnel. It also helps to raise the front of the truck up a little to let air escape easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUGG5ez-2rA

 

Thanks for the advice and the link to the video. There are some very helpful (and patient) people on here. I appreciate the help (again).