still running cool

[joe110010]

I've had this issue for a while now with no luck. The temp reading from my scan gauge is pretty steady at 196-198, occasionally up to 201 when idling.
I replaced tstat, temp sensor, coolant, and now finally the cat.

My long term fuel trim is still almost always -3.9 when idling in Drive, -2.3 when idling in Park. It goes to 0.0 when cruising on the freeway at 2100 rpm. I'm wondering now if the tstat I got was not rated correctly for this vehicle? I got a Gates from partsgeek (W0133-1837712) They have another Gates on there that it says fits the vehicle - part no. 1822284. Anyone have experience with these? Anything else I might look at with these numbers?

 

[CaptainXL]

I've had this issue for a while now with no luck. The temp reading from my scan gauge is pretty steady at 196-198, occasionally up to 201 when idling.
I replaced tstat, temp sensor, coolant, and now finally the cat.

My long term fuel trim is still almost always -3.9 when idling in Drive, -2.3 when idling in Park. It goes to 0.0 when cruising on the freeway at 2100 rpm. I'm wondering now if the tstat I got was not rated correctly for this vehicle? I got a Gates from partsgeek (W0133-1837712) They have another Gates on there that it says fits the vehicle - part no. 1822284. Anyone have experience with these? Anything else I might look at with these numbers?

It seems like you have no issue. The temp is normal according to many members readings. The thermostat is rated for 195. I would say you are running perfect.

 

[joe110010]

Ok thanks - I guess that is good news and bad news. I've thought that the sluggish performance I've had was related to temp issues. Every once in a while it feels like there's actually something behind the pedal so I know there's potential but most of the time it feels like mush. Wondering what else I could look at.

 

[CaptainXL]

Ok thanks - I guess that is good news and bad news. I've thought that the sluggish performance I've had was related to temp issues. Every once in a while it feels like there's actually something behind the pedal so I know there's potential but most of the time it feels like mush. Wondering what else I could look at.

In order to help you out some more we need to know a brief history of what maintenance has been done. Also how long you have been experiencing the issue. Any codes, other problems, etc?

 

[joe110010]

In order to help you out some more we need to know a brief history of what maintenance has been done. Also how long you have been experiencing the issue. Any codes, other problems, etc?

Only code I've ever had was the cooling fan circuit, P0128 off the top of my head. I replaced the fan clutch for it once but it has gone bad again. Beyond running the fan at full speed occasionally when it should not, it doesn't seem that problematic.

Other maintenance is pretty up to speed, I'm only at 113k miles and did the recommended 100k items pretty recently. I'll post the details this weekend.

What I get pushing on the pedal is almost a fluttering sound and feel with a ringing tone from the engine bay, and very little acceleration... I got on the freeway this morning at the same time as a 4Runner with a slight uphill from dead stop and it basically ran away from me within 50 yards.

 

[joe110010]

Thought I would post an update since Captain offered to help out on this. In changing out the cat a few weeks ago I snapped one of the muffler flange bolts, so I only had it bolted on with one bolt in the back. I didn't think it would have much effect since it was downstream of the cat but after finally fixing that it made a huge difference with a firm feel under the pedal now. Still some minor pinging, esp. when accelerating at speed, but it seems that is acceptable on these vehicles. Now on to other issues - new mounts and finishing out the front end with UCA and UBJ...

 

[gboos]

From my standpoint everything between 200-230 is "normal". Here in Germany I'm running 210, but that is a difference about 4C only to 200F. So no worries till your engine is not going down below 93C or 200F after T-Stat opened.

 

[CaptainXL]

From my standpoint everything between 200-230 is "normal". Here in Germany I'm running 210, but that is a difference about 4C only to 200F. So no worries till your engine is not going down below 93C or 200F after T-Stat opened.

The actual temp range from the scan tool parameters found in the service manual is from 190 - 220 F. Anything in between that is considered proper operating temp.