Toyota Running Hotter than Normal

Hello Customer (name blocked for privacy) , Thank you for allowing JustAnswer to answer your car question.

Do you have an electric fan or is it belt driven?

Russ

The radiator fan is electric driven. I can hear it turn on if I'm idle. It usually kicks in when the guage reaches the 1/2 way point. Typically the car gets hot during freeway driving (no more than 70 mph), and not during extended idle.

OK, does it ever feel like it is bogging down on the freeway? If it only heats up on the freeway, then it could possibly be running too lean, or the exhaust could be partially restricted.

Oh, and what color is the inside of your exhaust pipe. (black, brown, tan, whitish)

Russ

Edited by brandycow on July 24 2006 at 10:21pm

I have not noticed it feeling bogged down. But it probably is less "snappy" than years ago. But it's not dramatic or anything like that. I think the only time it gets an adjustment to the carb might be during smog checks (I'm in CA). I get one about every other year. Otherwise I'm not sure if or when the fuel / air ration might have been changed.

How about the exhaust color.....if you can't check it until later I'll be around tomorrow...but that's important for me to diagnose your problem OK?

Russ

That old of a car (even a Toyota) with that many miles will need a new temp sender before moving on. Oil temp won't be the same as coolant temp. You can use an infrared temp tool to shoot an infrared beam at the water outlet housing and see how hot it really is. Water boils at 212...with a pressurized system, 15 degrees is added and with at least 50/50 coolant/water, another 15 degrees is added so your boiling point is extended to 242 degrees.

Steve

long time Toyota Tech

I can't actually see the exhaust - I guess it's "clear" for lack of better term. Unless it's cold out, I can't see it when it first starts either.

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No I'm sorry, I mean the color of the exhaust pipe at the end on the inside. Sorry about the confusion!

Russ

Ok, won't know that until tomorrow AM though. But I will note the color before and after being on the freeway for the 1.5 hour commute.

OK. I'll look for your response after that. Have a good evening sir.

When you say temp sensor, you mean the sensor that indicates the temp inside the car - which I assume is measuring the water temp. Without an IR temp indicator, is there another way to catch coolant temp? Last time I thought I'd try the coolant immediately boiled when I released pressure with the radiator cap. When it could be removed without boiling over the temp was about 216 F.

I apologize, that was Sparkybouy's comment. I am not really sure how or why he got involved, but I want you to check your exhaust pipe 1st before we look at the coolant sensor OK?

Russ

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Ok, I'll let you know in the AM. And it is a 1987 model. Not sure when valves were adjusted. I've had it since day one, and to my knowledge they've never been adjusted.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on July 24 2006 at 11:06pm

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Okay, I checked the tailpipe this morning before the commute. It's a dry, dark rusty-brown color on the inside. I wiped it with a dry cloth and for the most part nothing really came out, just some dusty residue. I checked it again when I arrived at work (about 1.5 hrs at avg 65mph). The tailpipe color is unchanged. Still completely dry, and dark rusty-brown in color. It was hot, but I could touch it bare handed for about 1 to 2 seconds. Only other thing I noted is that the outside of the tailpipe has the same color and consistency for about 1/2 inch. The rest of it looks relatively clean and unweathered. Not sure if it matters, but it's not chromed or anything like that - just regular tailpipe metal. The temp only went up to about 3/4 the range. Ambient temp this morning is 90 degrees F.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on July 25 2006 at 12:21pm

The tailpipe is fine...it wouldn't have been blowing a head gasket for years!!!

You need to check for the fan clutch not locking up, the gauge to be accurate and do a valve adjustment.

The fan for the radiator is electric, and it does run when the temp guage reaches the 1/2 mark. There are no fans driven by the engine. Not sure if there's a clutch to check. I will look into the guage with the local dealer tomorrow. Is the valve adjustment something I can go to a mechanic and ask for - will they know what's needed if I say "my car is overheating, adjust the valves"?

Sorry about the fan clutch thing...it's in me from years on Toyotas...don't mention the "overheating"...just have the dealer or someone reputable do it...it's a HOT adjustment and the lash specs need to be accurate/snug. You'll need a new valve cover gasket, 1/2 moon(s) and top grommets. Get genuine stuff only.

One last thing to check yourself...make sure that when it's warmed up, that the fresh air door is open to cold air and not sucking air from the exhaust manifold thru the heat riser tube.

Where would the fresh air door be located? Is there another name for it? A little more info. Ambient temp on drive home was 110 degrees F. Within 15 minutes at 65mph temp ran up near the red. Driving with heater on dropped guage to 1/2 way mark. When arrived at home I idled it with AC running, and temp guage dropped to 1/2 way mark again and stayed there for over 15 minutes. Seems only to get hot during freeway driving.

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