03 v6 Tacoma operating temperature?

not sure what's at fault but my Tacoma usually operates a little above half, about 55-60%. is this too high or about normal? my buddy has a 97 4runner with the same engine and his opetates at like 45%??

 

if it's not going above that it's probably not a big deal.

has it changed recently, or always done that? orienting the breather hole at different positions when installing the thermostat can cause a difference of 10s of degrees in engine operating temp.

 

Fan clutch working properly? Thermostat being off would be my first guess assuming the fan works as it should

 

its changed recently. I have a bad freeze plug so until i get it replaced im adding coolant every other week or so. but before I noticed the leak my operating temp went up to about 75 due to low coolant

 

fans in perfect condition. but its possible the thermostat could be sliiightly out of whack, read my reply to the other guy though. im sure its working just fine lol

 

My 03 3.4 and a buddies 04 3.4 both sit at slightly above half like your describing and never had a issue.

When I cracked a radiator I even changed that, all new hoses, fluid, thermostat, and water pump and still sits there. Not a big deal

 

cool! thanks for the input

 

if the thermostat were replaced with an aft. mkt. unit...
the spec may be off some and read differently.

Also if the thermostat were installed upside down...
this could also be the difference.

There is a vent hole in the thermostat...
that should be placed at the bottom (6 o'clock)
and this allows for air to vent outta the cooling system.
If the thermostat were positioned upside down...
that air bleed off may not work properly.

You say it's leaking from a freeze plug...
be sure of that... and that it's not a head cyl. gasket leak.
The later would be worse and overheating is a bad thing.

Either way... don't let it run too low on coolant...
and don't add just water when there is a coolant loss.

Coolant mix must replace the lost coolant.
Water alone is a bad idea.
Don't ever use tap water, it's corrosive generally...
and does not work well as a coolant and for anti-corrosion.

Often a system is flushed using tap water (hose)
But once cleaned and evacuated...
Should re-filled with the appropriate coolant and distilled water mix.

Toyota brand coolant comes two ways...
Concentrate = (red) that you mix/dilute yourself using distilled water.
Pre-mix coolant = (pink) that comes already diluted (mixed).

 

good information. but yes believe me its the freeze plug, damn things shot, can see it with my own eyes. but yeah, I always top off with coolant, never water. not trying to kill my truck

 

The "jiggle valve" goes in the 6:00 (bottom) position on the V6 and results in an average ten degree increase in engine temp if installed "up".

 

So if the thermostat is on upside down is it going to affect anything?

And will a scan gauge 2 for example read the correct temperature?

 

Yep, as stated, engine will run an average of 10 degrees hotter. That's 10 degrees closer to over heating. In average running conditions it likely will not matter much other than being 10 degrees hotter than Toyota thinks it should be.

The dash gauge/sensor is buffered to the point of being next to as much good as an idiot light and you will never see the 10 degree difference. The ECU uses a separate sensor for coolant temp and reads in individual degrees for fuel delivery calculations. This is the value a SG or equivalent reader will see and read.

 

my bad... I had it backasswards... thnx for the correction.