1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Overheating

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Roughcountryrider15, Jun 14, 2015.

  1. Jun 14, 2015 at 7:47 PM
    #1
    Roughcountryrider15

    Roughcountryrider15 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2015
    Member:
    #157424
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner
    I have a 08 prerunner and never had any problems with it until now..I'm constantly driving 4-5 hrs one way and never have problems but the minute I get in to the NC mountains with different elevations it starts to overheat..I kick the heat on full blast and it slowly goes down...so my question is will the different elevations cause this issue or do I have problems with the temp sensor or thermostat... just hit 90,000 miles...
     
  2. Jun 14, 2015 at 8:23 PM
    #2
    smd3

    smd3 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Member:
    #106086
    Messages:
    372
    Gender:
    Male
    I'm guessing you hit sustained hills when you get to the mountains. So it's likely the increased load overcoming the cooling capacity, not something caused by the elevation itself.

    since it goes down with the heater on, it likely isn't a sensor. I wouldn't suspect the thermostat if the truck gets up to temperature and operates normally for the rest of your drive.

    Have you checked the coolant level?
     
  3. Jun 14, 2015 at 8:30 PM
    #3
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2009
    Member:
    #15341
    Messages:
    5,615
    Gender:
    Male
    NorthEast
    Vehicle:
    07 Dbl Cab LB with LSD
    I moded 1999 Taco so much it had turned to Land Cruiser
    Elevation causing overheating, ?
    1 Check for coolant level
    2. Check if the radiator cap is sealed correctly and working, but I would say replace radiator cap.

    If change in elevation makes your truck overheat, faulty radiator cap is usually the problem, followed by faulty thermostat.
    But Thermostat would most likely get stuck from time to time in lower elevations.
     
  4. Jun 14, 2015 at 8:34 PM
    #4
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2012
    Member:
    #78991
    Messages:
    14,267
    Gender:
    Male
    SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prerunner SR5
    I would suspect either the Thermostat or the cap.
     
  5. Jun 14, 2015 at 8:38 PM
    #5
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Member:
    #32477
    Messages:
    2,822
    Gender:
    Male
    N of Mex-S of Canada-E of LA-W of NC
    Vehicle:
    '15 Tacoma PreRunner V6 SR5 Auto
    You're pushing 100K, Toyota's 1st planned coolant change. You may have done that already. If not, do it along with what's been suggested already.

    New T-Stat and Radiator Cap. Be sure to bleed the cooling system. Countless discussions on how to do this.

    Might not hurt to also ensure front of radiator & a/c condenser are not full of stuff...bugs/etc radiator
     
  6. Jun 14, 2015 at 8:41 PM
    #6
    Roughcountryrider15

    Roughcountryrider15 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2015
    Member:
    #157424
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner
    Always keep my maintenance up and never a change with the temperature until I moved to the mountains..coolant level is where it needs to be...I'll check the cap in the morning when I get to work...I work for carquest so getting parts isn't a problem
     
  7. Jun 15, 2015 at 6:31 PM
    #7
    Yoda's TRD

    Yoda's TRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2015
    Member:
    #156427
    Messages:
    484
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Haslett, MI
    Vehicle:
    2025 TRD Sport Hybrid
    The other thing to check is the hose itself. I've seen older ones basically collapse under pressure. The nicer replacement hoses have (for the lack of a better word) what looks like a big spring in them that will not allow the collapse to happen.

    If you decide to switch out the t-stat the other thing you might consider is a complete radiator flush ... not just the drain the radiator and refill kind .. the complete back flush kind..

    .02
     
  8. Jun 15, 2015 at 8:59 PM
    #8
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Member:
    #32477
    Messages:
    2,822
    Gender:
    Male
    N of Mex-S of Canada-E of LA-W of NC
    Vehicle:
    '15 Tacoma PreRunner V6 SR5 Auto
    I have not seen OEM Toyota hoses that have the internal spring support. Do Toyota OEM hoses for the 2nd Gen 4.0L have this?

    Thanks.
     
  9. Jun 15, 2015 at 9:05 PM
    #9
    Brent Waldman

    Brent Waldman Active Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2015
    Member:
    #155658
    Messages:
    37
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brent
    Grand Junction Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tacoma TRD Off Road
    2.5 in lift
    If it has a clutch fan check it. They are temperature activated and when they fail they usually will not engage themselves and pull the necessary air through the radiator. Just an idea.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top