Engine Temperature Reading for a 2.7?

Hello all. My 03' 4x4 with the 2.7 has a temp gauge that always reads above the half mark. It has been this way since I bought it with 50k on it. I now have 100k and have done a coolant flush, new rad cap, hoses and thermostat. It never moves and thought the gauge should be at the half mark. It has never overheated or thrown any codes. Is this the normal operating temp reading for the truck? Should I change the coolant temp sensor or maybe the temp sender, or just run it as is? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Get a digital readout to know what actual temp is. Either Scan Gauge, Ultra Gauge or bluetooth OBDII scanner for smart phones. My Tacoma reads just above half way and is actually 175° +/-.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm not much of a tech guy, but from what I read, the Scan gauge just plugs into the OBDII port and gives a multitude of readings including coolant temp. Good to check out. Thanks agan

 

Scan gauge reads anywhere from 167*-186* depending on whether it is O* outside or 100* outside. Never goes above 196* even after running interstate at 80mph on a 100* day and then parking it. I bought a "winter front" to get the temp up when it gets down or below zero and still it runs at maybe 179* on the interstate at 0* or right around there. I've only surpassed 200* once or twice when revving it at 4500 rpm on a 100* day whilst climbing a hill off road I shouldn't have tried to climb. I made it but don't do that anymore.

 

I live in Phoenix, AZ. My Scan Gauge reads 190° F normally all year with a Denso radiator on a 3rz 4-cylinder engine. The previous Murray radiator from O'Reilly auto parts registered 188° F constantly. The analog guage is usually at the half-way point. The odometer on the 2000 Tacoma is over 337K miles.

 

Thanks for the info, so I'm guessing the normal range is around 170*-190* depending on the weather. Got to get one of those scan gauges. Is one gauge better than another?

 

So 190 would be the highest? What is a normal range for the 2.7?
TRVLR500 stays between 167*-186*, but I know he is in a different climate than you. Any preference on the different types of scan gauges? Thanks again for your time and input

 

I know I'm way late to respond. I just bought a new F-350 Super Duty and it has consumed all of my time. Still Have my Taco and will never get rid of it. My Scan Gauge is just the standard one. I didn't even know they made defferent ones until recently.

 

No worries, congrats on the new rig. I'm getting the scangauge II (birthday gift) and will check the coolant temp to see if it falls in the 167*-186* range. Thanks again

 

Temp gauge on the dash has very little in common with engine coolant temperature reported by ODBII (and used by ECU). It's different sensor, in completely different location and connected only to the gauge on the dash. In my case my OCD was challenged by this gauge started to show somewhere between "C" and center. New sender fixed the issue.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...k-or-rysium-build.457350/page-9#post-20756897

 

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean new sender or sensor? Or replace both? lol.

 

The part sensing the coolant temperature for the temperature gauge on the dash is called "Water Temperature Sender". For my engine it is part number 83420-20040. This is the one I have replaced. The part sensing the coolant temperature for ECU is called "Coolant Temperature Sensor". For my truck it is

$63 89422-35010 Water Temperature Sensor

89422-35010. If this one goes wrong you will have all kind of engine trouble as ECU will not know what to do and for sure you will get Engine Check light with some codes.

 

Well, I'm not having any engine trouble. No CEL codes either. Maybe I will start replacing the sender first and see what happens. Thanks again for all the info