5VZFE Normal Operating Temp

My recently purchased 2002 V6 is consistently running (once warmed up) between 196F-206F depending on how I’m pushing the engine.

I’m wondering if this is normal/acceptable operating temp. Seems a little high?

The PO had the water pump, timing belt, cooling service performed at a Toyota dealership at 50k miles (I know, early). Theorizing that they may have installed the jiggle valve upside down which would raise the temp.

 

Mine operates anywhere from 190-203 depending on whether I’m going up-hill or down-hill. Not sure if that’s normal but it’s been like that for 5 years.

 

I swapped out my thermostat for a 170* Napa Safe T. Before that my truck would run between 196-209 as well and I felt that was a bit hot especially when you get out and you can smell that warm 5vz smell. I did a bunch of forum and google searching, some said that older 5v thermostats ran cooler than the current 180* unit, some said that the current 180* is completely fine if you're not supercharged. The orientation of the jiggle valve is indeed important. When I replaced mine, the jiggle valve was at the 12 o clock position and very crusty. I installed the napa 170 with the jiggle at 6 o clock and my truck never gets hotter than 186* now. For the sake of science I should have changed the stock jiggle orientation and verified a temp change but draining and filling then draining and filling would have been a pain.

 

Perfectly normal, keep driving and enjoy it! Be more worried about keeping the coolant and oil where they need to be and you'll be fine.

 

How many miles are on it now?

Does your dash needle move? I’m betting no. So you’re fine. The dash needle will only move when the temp gets above a certain temp that’s outside design specs.

The reason manufacturers stopped using actual temp gauges is because people would freak over small variations in temps that are completely normal. So the temps you’re getting from the scan gauge (or whatever) will natually vary.

 

I've had cooling issues check for leaks the hardened plastics radiators top and bottom are notorious for hair lines cracks. Also if they changed out the thermostat to a non OEM TYPE THATS NOT A HIGH FLOW ONE 180 deg. Manual says jiggle valve 6 o'clock position many shops will put them 12 position. Make sure plenty fluid that Toyota or equilavent red stuff so it doesn't corode. If your running 10-15 hotter than normal (180) than somethings a little out of spec my guess thermostat. (Also seen radiators covered with bugs causing temp issue need a good high pressure washing) Great trucks have fun.

 

104k miles, and the needle is consistently ~60-65% up the gauge. Thanks for the input guys. If I get bored one of these weekends, I’ll check out and replace the t-stat to see if that helps. Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t something I needed to address sooner rather than later.

 

3 kelvin

 

Mine was running 195-201 this summer. Yesterday it was getting up around 220 with my snow plow on driving into the wind, 199 going with the wind. I was thinking about replacing the radiator maybe I should just get the cooler thermostat. I have 147,000 miles on my Tacoma. I have an outside thermometer on my Tacoma with my temperature sensor against the back of my grill, it was reading 160 degrees while driving into the wind and 40-50 degrees with the wind. The actual out side temp was 30 degrees. I tried lowering and angling the blade but it didn't change the engine temp. I could get the outside air temp to go down into the 70's by angling the blade going into the wind.

 

Mine runs about the same as yours. 195-202.

 

195 Degree Thermostat

Pulling a Hard hill loaded it might get to about 206

 

I would say that’s too hot, I have the Champion radiator and my scanguage runs 185-190. Seldom does it ever go over that unless it’s 100 degrees outside.
The radiators actually plug up easily behind the AC condenser on the radiator and is hard to see. The AC condenser sweating into the radiator makes for dirt and dust to turn into mud and will plug that footprint area.
Sometimes its easier to just get s new radiator

 

188-193 here. Rad replacement about a year ago. Usually sits at 190 or 185-188 idle in hot weather with ac on.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I'm thinking about ordering a radiator. Might do the water pump and the timing belt at the same time. I'm not sure if it has been done yet.

 

^^^^

 

From other reports, you can decrease temps by 5-10F if your thermostat is installed correctly (6 o clock). Incorrect is 12 o clock and it'll be a little hotter.

 

I'm going to remove the current t-stat and see if it was installed upside down or not. Just ordered a new OEM one to replace it with.

 

I need to do this as well...

 

How much coolant would you guys expect to lose when replacing the t-stat only? I already have 1 gallon on hand, wondering if I should pick up more before doing the swap.

 

Does anyone know what the minimum temperature is to get the ecu to go into closed loop - just installed a new champion radiator and the throttle keeps rising to 2400 in open loop saying there's insufficient coolant data to go into closed loop but at the same time I'm watching live data of the engine temp rising as would be expected - the temp is max 184.