Engine doesn't fully warm up

I just bought a 2010 V6 4WD Automatic with 20K miles. It runs just fine but I have a question about the cooling system. The situation is the engine runs normally, the heater puts out heat and the temp gauge stays in the middle. The problem is that the upper radiator hose (passenger side) never gets above 160 degrees and the lower (driver side) radiator hose never gets above 75 degrees. It’s like the thermostat is not opening.
Is this normal? Any ideas?

 

My gauge always stays right in the middle

 

+1

Gauge always in the middle, Ultragauge always shows either 199.4 or 204.3

How are you measuring the temps on the hoses? With an IR thermometer? The hose surface will always be cooler than the coolant inside.
If the thermostat were not opening, you would overheat very quickly.
If the thermostat were not closing, your temp gauge would likely be lower and you would not get a good amount of heat.

 

Mine is 2011 and my gauge stays in the middle also. I would say its normal. If thermostat wasnt opening , you would be over heating and the gauge would be all the way in the red or at the (H) on the temp gauge.

 

Talk about searching for a problem that doesn't exist.

If your thermostat was stuck open you could see low temperatures, but you have no problem.

 

I just farted, should I be worried?

 

Did it overheat??

 

You should probably get a colonoscopy.

Probably did.

 

No, but anyone around you should be.

 

Possibly, do think you made product?

 

Also, if you were over cooling, you would get a CEL with insufficient coolant temp codes and or thermostat codes in it. Your engine does not run as efficient when it is not up to temp. It's not just a matter of running a little cooler.

 

I am sure I never tested the radiator hose temp before. Why would anyone do that? Nice first post!

 

Do you have interior heat? If so...no worries. Make sure your coolant level is good.

 

^^ for a second i thought you were gunna be nice.

 

Yes and no. You should be worried 'cause I just farted. It would gag a maggot, lemme tell you!

OP, if the thermostat were stuck open, the upper and lower temps would be much closer together, and your gauge would read lower. Your reading on the upper is about right if you took the reading off the rubber hose or composite pipe. If it were stuck closed, the lower rad hose would be even cooler, and you'd have overheating. It sounds like all is well from your description. Why you so paraniod, is this your first toyota and you can't figure out why it hasn't broken down yet?

 

Am I reading this right?

OP has truck that is running just fine, temp guage shows normal and the everything works fine, yet he's measuring temps on hoses in the engine because he thinks the engine is not properly warming up?

 

So you're saying your radiator is working? I mean.....hot water goes in, gets cooled and comes out cooler. Sounds normal to me.


Gauge is in the middle, truck is running fine. Can't see any issue here!

 

What's the problem???

 

OP, your trucks fine bud. To the rest of you........thanks for playing along. I was sitting in a Chili's at the bar and trying my damndest not to laugh and give myself away. I did the ol' George Carlin "test fart" and it tested out to be not conducive for a full public offering. Damn spinach dip and shiner bock!

"gag a maggot" was too funny. never heard that one bud.

 

I say it's bad muffler bearings for sure, that it the sputter valve is out on your flux capacitor either way it's normal keep driving it.