What have you done to your 1st gen Tundra today?

Alriiight, got my radiator installed, but still seeing temps go from 185-195 up to 220+ and then falling back down while I drive it. What’s the safe operating temp and when should I think about shutting it down? The needle doesn’t even start to creep up until 225ish.
Cleared all the codes and the only one that came back was the O2 sensor from my meth special cats.

Edit: new $35 radiator cap too

 

Anyone on Vancouver Island looking for a project canopy? Free (actually they’ll pay you $20 to take it) AC one missing back glass.
Not sure if I should post this here or elsewhere?

 

Someone could definitely make that a fully functional topper for ~$400 and several wasted weekends. Or they could buy an already functional topper for $400. But if you were dirt broke and just really, really needed something covering your bed, it's an alright deal.

 

Damn that's pricey
For $35 I hope you got the MF-ing Millennium Falcon cap!

 

No I got sneered at by a woman at the parts counter that doesn’t know her ass from a tailpipe assembly.

 

Might be a good idea to check the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor. I assume you put in fresh coolant already when you did the radiator. How long ago was your last water pump replacement? My 06 has been running between 186-191 consistently since replacing the radiator. I thought it was kinda low, considering my 03 runs between 190-198 consistently.
But I've got two rich codes, that could relate to the coolant temperature sensor.
Sorry I'm not of more help.

 

Or just bust out the remaining windows for a canopy.

 

Looks like it may have been a flat window and the frame is there, wouldn’t be too hard to put a sheet of acrylic in there.

 

Had the thermostat and water pump done with the TB a few weeks ago. Haven’t even put a tank of gas through it yet. Didn’t have any issues before so I’m thinking it’s air. It was on ramps in the driveway today sitting at 213 and I held the drivers grab handle and the B pillar and rocked the shit out of the truck and the temp went up and down from 213 up to 215 back and forth at the same pace I was rocking the truck.

 

Sounds like you still have some partial blockage in the system giving you issues.

For now I’d avoid large hill climbs and towing until it’s resolved.

Leftover meth mixed in with antifreeze? Maybe coagulated somewhere in the system?

I wonder if there’s a way to check the flow rate if it’s even documented?

 

It’s not consistent. I cannot get it to raise or lower reliably. Hill climbs will make the temp drop half the time and then I’ll be cruising on flat road at 60 and the temp will jump from 200-240 in a minute or so and I have to pull over and turn it off. When I start it back up it’ll go from 235 down to 195 and stay there.
I don’t get it.

 

That is weird. Normally you would expect the temp to rise when loading the engine, not at random times.

 

I've always heard if it's air in the system, park with the front higher than the rear, pop the radiator cap (if it's safe to do so!), and run the heat on high. Let it idle like that for like 15 mins.

 

I’ve been doing that but didn’t leave the cap off. Maybe that’s the key. I’ll give it a shot tomorrow and see if I can get the last of it out. The heater core loop on the firewall is nice and hot and I’ve been running the heat nonstop so maybe I’m not letting it out. I tried that after the radiator got installed and the temp went to 220 and coolant stated shooting out of the top of the radiator so I shut it down.

 

Yeah the air has to get out..can't do that with the cap on. Just don't open it while the engine is already hot!
Nobody wants to see you get scalding hot coolant on your skin.

 

Do you have one of these?

 

I don’t. Will that help if there’s already coolant in it?

 

What was the orientation of the thermostat (where's the jiggle valve)?

 

Absolutely. You stick that in there with coolant in it and let your truck run about 15 minutes with the heat on and it gets all the air out. I used it when replacing my daughter's sequoia radiator with great results after it was doing the same shit yours is doing.

 

Got a link? Asking for a friend...

 

Showing off @Dvsdan might be able to help you

 

I bought one of those. Worked perfectly.

 

Yesterday we pulled the 2 axle trailer and did one yard. I had to first pick up some non-ethanol gasoline, as that is all I use in my equipment, but I used dad's Canyon to haul that.

Here is a pic of the Tundra with 2 axle trailer and the riding mower & small zero turn loadout. 18 foot long, 7-ish (6'8") wide.



Profile shot. Don't be confused by the short trailer's tailgate being up in the background.

 

I finally managed to do some poking around.

I found out that my leaf spring hanger and shackle on passenger side are squeaking a little. Then I pulled the rear passenger wheel and have movement when pushing/pulling on the studs. Looks like passenger axle bearing is up for replacement. Ugh!

 

Sorry to hear. It isn't that bad if just follow the procedure to get retainer in right place whether you do it or have someone else do it.

 

I had the driver side done at the dealer 2-3 months ago and it seems to be holding well. I’ll have them do the other side and also inspect my possible brake MC issue. I don’t feel like dealing with those two things and the cost really wasn’t bad last time when you add back in they had to replace the axle. The bearing was frozen to the housing and spinning around the axle shaft.

 

If you do change your mind and want to DIY, holler at me. I have the axle tool I'll loan you. Well, @FishNinja has it ATM.

 

Much appreciated.