MngreLMatt

I timed my car's warm up time today by: starting the car and a stopwatch at the same time. Fiddling around with a few things Before take off then at about a minute thirty I started driving. Same as I usually do, nice and easy not going above 2000rpm while warming up...
It took about 9 minutes 45 seconds to get to halfway. Even longer to get to where it usually sits after driving(a hair above half).

Seems too slow to me. Especially in for southern California where llast night the low was probably in the high 40s. This morning when I started it up the temp read 57. Taking that long to warm up in high 50 degree weather doesn't seem right.

Only thing I have done to this system is the ECT sensor. Yes the air temp in HVAC corresponds to the gauge cluster. Cold when first started on HOT setting then really hot if I turned on the heat when warmed up.

What do y'all think?

Stroock639

when was the thermostat last changed? i once had such an issue and it was because the center thermostat gasket had cracked and a piece of it was sticking out and preventing the thermostat from closing

MngreLMatt

Stroock I reckon many many miles ago. However long it has been I reckon it was a good while

MngreLMatt

I might as well do the thermostat and the gasket at the same time. Bout 20$ not bad at all

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

what year is your car?

usually when you start driving the water temp (which that gauge only reads) gets hotter faster as you are putting a load. on my 97 i never see halfway on the gauge, even on the hottest socal days, and gets up to temp pretty quickly (4-5 mins on winter morning lately). it's usually at like 40-45% hot normal operating. i recommend a thermostat change as well.

Stroock639

if you don't know when (or if) the thermostat was last replaced i would definitely do that

90916-03100 is the thermostat

16346-50010 is the gasket

also make sure to properly bleed the system to make sure there's no air bubbles in there. maintain the revs at 2000-2500 rpm with the heat turned to fully "hot." fan doesn't need to be on high just make sure the temperature is turned all the way up which opens the water control valve. do this on level ground until the car is at operating temperature. i just wedged something between the gas pedal and seat to keep the revs constant. be ready to have a bunch of coolant drain out from when you take the thermostat housing off and i only recommend using the factory red toyota coolant with which you make a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water

MngreLMatt

1999. Picked up the thermostat and gasket today from Toyota. I'll have to do it tomorrow. Thanks for the advice guys. The old one didn't look to bad despite the corrosion on the inner shaft.

Would have done it today , but had a duck of a time doing my alternator bearings and spent the second half of the day on those.

Till next time

Matt

MngreLMatt

Cool little update I forgot to add. The jiggle valve was way off of 12 o'clock when I took the old thermostat out. I wonder if I just put it back to 12 if the old one would work. That would be pretty cool. I'd rather just replace it and not have to do it all over again that's for sure.

qewani1

Mine was running cold even after driving, problem solved after replacing the thermostat, but my thermostat was damaged!
Check attached file, thermostat' s jiggle valve may set at 12 o'clock or 30° of either side

MngreLMatt

Good to know qewani. When I replaced mine the jiggle valve was at about 7 o'clock. No bueno!