Direction of coolant flow on 3rz 2.7L?

Hi I really need help answering this question I've been dealing with issues of engine overheating and my top hose is hot and bottom hoses cold. I've replaced my radiator and replace my thermostat one major question that I have is what is the direction that the coolant flows? Does it go from the engine block out the top hose through the radiator and through the bottom hose in the back into the engine? I'm confused because thermostat is on bottom hose and temp gauge is on top hose. Since my top hose is hot my temp gauge shows me overheating. Since my bottom hose is cold how can I ever expect my thermostat to open??? Please help. Engine shows as overheating after driving less than 20 min of highway driving but won't overheat when idling.

Logan

 

Hot water enters the top of the radiator and exits the bottom. The spring of the thermostat should be pointed toward the engine so it senses the hot water in the engine and not the cool water coming from the radiator. I have seen a fan clutch cause the problems you described. The clutch slips too much when warm and doesn't allow the fan to spin at a fast enough speed to pull cool air through the radiator at highway speeds.

 

Thanks for quick response Steve. I'd heard that could be possible issue. Is there a foolproof way to check fan clutch functionality? How much would that cost to fix?

Regarding bottom hose being cool. Shouldn't the thermostat be opening to allow the cool coolant to go back to the engine and circulate the hot coolant out of the engine into the radiator?