Running Hot

Hey all wondering if anyone out there has experienced any issues with cooling system. I have a 2012 crewmax 4x4 Platinum with 5.7 it all started one day a few months ago i noticed that when i parked i smelled the sweet smell of coolant like when engine is starting to overheat. I opened up the hood noticed my reservoir was low i added some coolant. On the drive back home i noticed temp was in the middle and then slightly climbed just past middle. I took it to a shop next day the mechanic first said let's check the coolant level . After the engine cooled he took the cap off and there was a chunk of the seal missing..he's said there's your problem replace the cap and you should be good. I picked one up at autozone and replaced it after it cooled and topped off coolant. Next day it did the same thing, this time i took it to the dealer cause i didn't want to be messing around with overheating. The dealer said it's your aftermarket cap sometimes they don't seal right we replaced it with a Toyota cap. Picked it up on the drive home it happened again. Took it back they kept it to run a barrage of test they said everything checks out no busted heads, no leaks in radiator or water pump. They said let's replace the t-stat it did the same thing again . Took it back again this time they said we recommend changing the radiator to the tune of $800 i said you said nothing was wrong with it. I took it to a radiator shop they said not the radiator probably a bad fan clutch i changed that too guess what it did it again. I broke down and bought a new radiator but i bought an aluminum performance radiator and it's still doing it. Only thing left is water pump and I'll have a whole new cooling system but it has yet to overheat but i know it's not normal plus i plan to tow a boat that's why i bought it. Has anyone experienced anything like this could it be the pump this whole time it doesn't leak ir make any strange noise but it does fluctuate temp when driving at higher/lower speeds any ideas? Could the sensor be bad?

 

I assume the dealer hooked up a scanner to it i will try the IR thermometer tomorrow but the radiator is brand new i replaced it with aluminum performance radiator. I am probably going to try a different dealership and see if they can figure it out.

 

I have also hooked up a bluetooth OBD scanner with torque pro app it shows coolant temp between 212 and highest it has reached is 223 so far does anyone know what the normal operating temp should be?

 

did you check the coolant tubes ?

 

Well the dealership supposedly checked them, the heads, radiator they did leak down test, pressure test and all checked out good

 

Normal operating temp for me is between 185 and 195 according to my Ultra-Gauge based on load.
Example:



Had hot temp issues on my 04 stage 3 allroad... I changed everytihng! then I pressure washed the condenser and the radiator from back to front (removed) solved the issue. essentially the fins were clogged between condenser and rad. I 2nd checking flow through coolant pipes for debris. One way I have done that is remove a section of hose, replace with clear to see if there is good flow.

 

Where can i pick up clear hoses?

 

I grabbed it from Home depot based on the size I was removing. Check the working temperatures of vinyl tubing though. Some are only up to 125 F (too low) others go to 175F. This would be a drive-way test. Not to and from work... They will fail if they go over working temp. Never done this on a tundra but have on a 2.7t Audi.

How is your heat? does it work? Heater on full does it keep the temperature down? What part of the country and how many miles?

 

Heater works it hasn't actually overheated it just is running above normal it hasn't gone past the middle maybe by a hair

 

@Froggmann OP you didn't say how many mile of your truck, is here any evident of the coolant leaking from the water pump? You replaced almost everything except the water pump? Why not water pump next?
Is this really an overheat or the temp gauge needle moved greater than the center? Is this happen when AC on?
Is this happens at stop and go traffic or highway speed?

 

I am having this same issue right now thermostat and water pump was replaced around 8/9 months ago. Temps will run up and down from 210-232.. no load on truck and literally just driving down the road. When I replaced the water pump I made sure to burp the system several times until I got no air out at all. Coolant level is normal also it does push what’s in the overflow reservoir out but have no noticeable leak at all. Also the outlet hose is extremely hot and the inlet hose is not even close to warm. But when I crank the truck at normal operating temp with the radiator cap off it shoots water out like the water pump is moving water( btw this was by mistake just to see if it had any air left in it) so I am lost everything is new for the most part I know things can fail did you ever find out your problem???

 

Btw truck has 180,000 with zero issues at all other than this. Heat works absolutely fine also. Sitting idle truck runs 213-215 down the road it will fluctuate from 215-232. Constant speed it moves from that up hill it will climb more which is normal cause it’s using more fuel which in turn means more heat

 

Does your engine fan turn on at all?

 

Yes no issues with the fan at all!

 

Ever figure it out? I'm having the same problem. Newer Radiator in mine, New Thermostat, Unknown water pump. was it the valley leak?

 

Same issue here. Any common solution?

 

I ordered a water pump, it was leaking anyway, ordered a thermostat and fan clutch pulley.

Mine only heats up after going over 60 with a load and giving it more gas. I read on another fourm that after about 60 the fan cant pull enough air in thru the radiator with out that fan kicking on. I tried to listen to see if it kicks on but do not notice it.

I will report back after I have made the repairs.

 

Common issues are radiator cap and heater valve, in that order. In your case, I'd say radiator cap, the heating up while going highway speeds is a BIG clue. Its not the fan, going 60 doesn't need a fan....there's so much air, the fan can't pull more....get a new toyota OEM radiator cap, they're cheap and you'll find out if it works in 5 minutes. Report back so others can learn from it....

 

Are your radiator caps intact??? I discovered mine had come apart.. I'm worried it'll clog something eventually..

 

Yeah lmk what it is. Might want to do one thing at a time. I did thermostat. Was going to do fan clutch next. Just had a newborn and with the stuff going on I haven’t had time

 

Buy or rent a coolant pressure tester.

 

I replaced the thermostat, water pump and fan clutch. I needed to do the water pump any way it was leaking and it was less then 170 for all the parts on rock auto so I figured I would just go ahead to do it.


I have been driving it and no leaks or nothing. Going on the hwy today for a longer drive so I will report back tonight or tomorrow.

I will check my cap but it did not look out of order when I took it off. I also went a head and had the radiator tested for cracks.

Update: I looked at my cap and looks like a little "nipple" or something broke off it. Is this what you were talking about @Johnsonman oh and I went ahead and got the new radiator cap.

 

Radiator needs bleeding?

 

So I did my Trip Saturday and had 0 issues with it getting hot. It might have just been the cap? I had to replace the water pump due to a leak anyway and just did the fan clutch and thermostat as a preventive maintenance.

Bottom line up front. It if working as normal.

 

So this so called dealership didn't have a coolant system tester? A fucking caveman can go to Autozone, buy one, test the system for leaks for a cost of $60. I would go back there and tell them to take there sign down, they are not worthy to work on vehicles. I can't believe this shit. Easiest system to diagnose on a vehicle.

 

Any updates?

 

update on mine new radiator, new thermostat, new temp sensor, new water pump, new radiator cap, new hoses and new belt. still the same issue going to install fan clutch sometime this week when I get time. If this doesn't work I will buy another cap and if that doesn't fix it I will drain all fluid and try to flush out the entire motor to make sure something isn't clogged not sure how well it will work but I am tired of dealing with it.

 

Someone here on this thread mention cleaning the a/c condenser in between the fins get clogged with dirt and pet hair and doesn’t allow air to flow through it and it sit in front of the radiator block air flow to the radiator , I’ve seen the area between the condenser and radiator full of leaves and pet hair before this will cause overheating at cruising speeds !

 

I working in a small independent automotive repair for about 10 years and saw this on several customers cars or trucks and have pets that sleep in the garage . On start up it sucks the pet hair off the garage floor and over time restricts the air flow across the radiator and condenser. If you have tried all the obvious cooling system maintenance I would try cleaning this next !