Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Tech talk for Hilux

Moderators: toaddog, Elmo, DUDELUX

Post Reply
Posts: 117
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:41 pm
Location: Brisbane

Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by ae86levin »

My Hilux has started to run at 70c where it used to be around 80 - 90c.
I checked the thermostat and found that it's stuck open. Is it a problem to run it at 70c? I imagine the thermostat is set to open in the 80s for a reason - can anyone shed any light on why I'd want it to run at 80 - 90?
Posts: 1256
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:05 pm
Location: newzealand

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by tweak'e »

not the best to run them cold. use more fuel and increase wear. especially as stick open thermostat will make the warm up take a very long time.
Posts: 1383
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 8:12 pm
Location: Newcastle

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by oldmate »

70 degrees isn't too bad. If it was dropping right down when you did long downhill runs (no fuel being injected) then you might have a problem with engine wear and heater efficiency.

3L thermostats are about 30 bucks for a genuine. May as well fix it for that price.
The worst part about being told you have Alzheimer's, is that it doesn't just happen once.
Posts: 459
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:23 am

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by old lux »

wish i could get mine to run that cool. mine sitsd on 90 and i hate it.
93 duel cab lux. 2.8 TD twin locked. Big tyres, little lift. Wide stance. Barwork and build up under way
Posts: 1256
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:05 pm
Location: newzealand

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by tweak'e »

since your going to change it get one of the highflow thermostats. available in 88c and 82c.
Posts: 117
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:41 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by ae86levin »

tweak'e wrote:since your going to change it get one of the highflow thermostats. available in 88c and 82c.
Yeah I looked for the Tridon high flow but couldn't find one without ordering it in.
I ended up putting a standard flow 88c one in yesterday and now it runs at 90c (as I would expect with an 88c thermostat).
If Toyota intended the engine to run at 90c, and based on the earlier commenst about operating temp, I am happy with that.

One thing I did notice whey doing this was that my coolant seemed to have a small amount of brown / gray sludge in it. I assume this is oil that has gotten into the coolant - is a small amount usual / expected or is any amount a bad sign? I flushed and replaced the coolant when I did the thermostat.
I also pressurised the cooling system and noticed that it dropped pressure over a 10min period - no leaks externally so it must be an internal leak.
From what I read it could be a sign of a bad head gasket or maybe a leak in the oil cooler.
Next step I plan is to do a compression test to see what that shows - anything else I should be considering?
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:56 pm
Location: Beechboro WA

Re: Hilux with 3L running cool - 70c

Post by slythoughtz »

Sounds like it could be a slight leak from the head gasket, or oil cooler? Somewhere the water can come in contact with the oil if a gasket was to fail.

Compression test will confirm if it's the head gasket.
ln106 dually,recond 2.8L turbo,snorkel,2" lift,low pro gbox crossmember, 33's on 15x10 steelys,custom winch bar,spotties,diff breathers,12000lb winch,rocksliders,trimmed ali tray n more to come
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests