Engine Heat

What is the max/normal spot that your thermometer gauge goes to? Mine has been going to a bit over halfway and my dad said that it might be running a little too hot. I bought some coolant/antifreeze and filled it up until I got a bit of overflow, but the temperature gauge reading didn't go down at all. Is this normal? It doesn't go any higher than a little over half way.

My dad insists that a little over half is still pretty hot compared to his cars, so he says it might be the thermometer going bad.

 

Sounds normal to me... When mine is dead center in the middle the scanguage is reading 190 f. I think this is normal operating temp. IDK

 

mines rite at half way i have never questioned it. maybe we should?

 

My temp. gauge has rested comfortably at dead level horizontal for the last 8 years & 138,000 miles. How long have you owned the truck? If mine moved the slightest bit over half it would cause concern. But, if you've owned the truck for a long time with it registering slightly over half perhaps you have nothing to worry about?

But, there are lots of folks on this forum that know a helluva lot more about those engines than I do, so they'll probably have more insight...

 

I have only owned the truck for a few months, but it's a 98 with 175,000 miles. It's been at the little over the middle mark for a while now so I guess I don't have anything to worry about.

 

thats exactly where mine runs. just replaced radiator and thermostat. i think its normal.

 

If you think it's running a little hot, change the coolant out if it hasn't been done in a while. Helped with mine.

 

Mine runs at the same level too..... I think its normal.

 

It sounds about normal but with that many miles I'd do a complete coolantsystem flush (including the block) pull your dipstick & check for cloudy,muddy looking oil, look for water droplets on dip stick too, not always a blown head gasket or cracked head.......

 

My 99' would run right at horizontal, while my 04' runs slightly above that. But it's never gone above that, so I'm not concerned.

 

mine runs right in the middle never over or under except for once when went wheeling and radiator was packed with mud then it had a little bit over overheating prob lol

 

I have had a 2000 and now have a 2001 and both 5VZ engines ran with the needle right at halfway. My current Tacoma has 166-167k and has been this way for 2.5 years now.

 

my scangauge flux between 186 to 190 if the ac is on. lil over half on the heat gauge