Stuck open thermostat.

Seeing if anyone else has had problems with their thermostat below freezing, pretty sure my shit is stuck open. Everyday I pick my daughter up from school and let my truck idle with heat I can watch my temp drop and it'll start blowing cold air. The colder the worse. Last time I scheduled service it was in the 50's so of course Toyota sent me on my way. Like to take care of it myself but unfortunately the thermostat is part of a housing and it looks like I have to buy the whole damn part to do it myself. Wish I could find just the stat and reuse the housing....

 

Confused? Haha

 

Pretty sure that’s normal, what is the problem with exception of gauge moving towards blue? Does the heater retain heat?
My m3 did that, especially when coasting down the hill on a cold day, coolant gauge would drop, though tstat was brand new.
I may be wrong, but seems normal to me

 

No. It blows cold air. Temp gauge drops like a rock. Thermostat is stuck open. Ill just probably buy the assembly. Figure maybe someone has replaced their thermo....

 

I don't know how far you drive to get your daughter but the thermostat is probably already fully open by then.

 

Ah ok, i thought it had heat.. yea not sure, sounds like tstat but not sure why’d go so early on
Good luck

 

Would agree but if I park and let her idle the temp needle drops to below the second hash and the air blows cold. I can have my Mazdaspeed 3 parked in idle and she'll blow hot no matter how cold. I've replace the Speeds thermostat before, fixed my problem. Just can't believe the Tacoma you have to purchase the whole housing assembly. I was quoted $180 for an OE. Rather have my warranty take care of it but fuck it I'll just get it done I guess. I scheduled again to have it checked but my appointment is 2 weeks out.

 

Yeah definitely have them check it out, hopefully they will swap it out under warranty for you.

 

For sure. Yeah sorry I did not mention it blows cold.

 

Yeah sucks last time I brought it in it was 50 degrees so they could not replicate. Made another appointment but it's in 2 weeks. My luck it'll be 60 out haha

 

Harden up and get the dealer to fix it. You have warranty coverage still right?

 

Oh yeah still under warranty. Like I said the last time I took it in it was 50 degrees out on the appointment day They gave me. They said sorry can't replicate haha. I just want it done so I'll probably just take care of it.

 

Yea I’ve given up on dealers, I’ve wasted so much time trying to have them diagnose or fix what I knew was wrong. I have to work around my schedule and then pretty much spend better part of the day loitering at dealership.
Figure I’d spend my money upfront and get done myself.
Hopefully they get you sorted

 

That's the point I'm at. It's either have the dealer take care of it a year later or man up and take care of business. Thought maybe someone has had the same prob. Going to rip that shit out and see if just the thermostat can be replaced for $20 or if Toyota screwed us and $180 for the assembly is the only option....

 

I would try a different dealer first Just to be safe.

 

Take a video of the gauge. Once warmed up, it should never move off center.

G.

 

Sure thing, Ill do it tomorrow. It's pretty easy to see the thermostat is fucked ....

 

If you do undertake this repair on your own, don't purchase aftermarket thermostat like Stant, etc. I have had nothing but problems with the aftermarket thermostats at the local parts places, and have since learned just go OEM. If for whatever reason it is a part that is molded into the housing, then it's going to be pricey if the dealership stiff-arms you.

But a video of your gauge would be helpful as mentioned, and you can also shoot IR gun temps of the heater hoses in the engine compartment as well, besides showing your dial setting on the console for your temperature. And then show the dropping temperatures of the heater hoses.

Good luck.

 

Damn, $125 for aftermarket t-stat! And that's a $10 part on older cars.....after 10 years of ownership truck will cost us $90k unless you're a mechanic, then maybe $70k!