My other van runs just south of half way on the temp gauge. This is my daughters van and I would hate to have to do head gasket again. Previous owner gave me old work orders and it was running hot after the last head gasket job. I thought I figured it out when I was able to flush all the sediment out of block but it’s reading the same temps.
Thanks for helping. I’m at a loss to what to do next.
The important thing to consider here is that you are putting a lot of faith in a 30 year old gauge and possibly a 30 year old temperature sending unit. If you really want an accurate temperature reading you'll want to install a good quality aftermarket gauge. And 195-215 is considered normal for most engines.
If your van has the original radiator, it might be time to do the high efficiency re-core or get a new one.Originally Posted by Navphoto
After I bought my van, I found that the radiator was is really bad shape. Had a shop send it out for a "re-core" job
which turned out to be done very poorly or not at all (scam). Eventually I had the "Ability Radiator Re-core" high efficiency 3 row
done.
"You came in that thing?... You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Since the OP was posting from Hawaii, just want to add my own 2 cents from Philippines.
-No heater installed, I use a bypass hose at the water pump
-No choke installed on stock 2bbl carb, not needed here
-No t-stat installed, bought the car this way and have not added it
-Upgraded to 3-row radiator to give extra safety margin
-stock clutch fan
Temps never climb above half, unless I am low on coolant or crawling 2nd gear in the mountains.
I’m planning on purchasing a watchdog temp sensor for her van. I’ve tried everything else except recore radiator. I have an extra 4x4 radiator so I need to take it to the local shop and see if they can do it for me. The part that has me bewildered is that it runs nice and cool without thermostat but I’m willing to try anything.
Check this thread, post #13. It has a link to a nice digital temp gauge.
This mod is on my wish list.
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?2759-Cooling-system-Mods&p=16143#post16143
"You came in that thing?... You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
I found a corroded pipe that developed a hole when I hit it. Could of been disastrous.
I don't think it was used much as there was a lot of sediment once I opened it.
Next time I flush, I will drain the rear also.
Update. Had radiator recored guy that did it said that he could only do a 3 core so I when with it. Didn’t help so gauge on dash so I took temps at fill neck with a laser temp thermometer and temp are reading great 178 180. I should have bought the watchdog temp sensor first before I did all this work and spent a ton of money. The positive is I have a perfectly good extra radiator in case one of these vans need it.
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