so what is the max coolant temp where I should be concerned about damage? Have heard plenty of different numbers, I have seen my truck go up to 220 and the gauge was pegged.But then I have seen the gauge in the center range from 190 to 217, once it hits above 219, it rapidly pegs out. I am guessing I have a bad gauge...

Using my OBDII scanner to monitor temps so maybe I am reading a bad sensor?

 

Yeah something wrong there. Usually the gauge hasnt even started moving at 220f. I dont think hitting those numbers on occasion is a big concern.

 

The gauge on the dash is worthless. Don't bother even considering it. The joke is it has three positions.... cold, normal, & screwed.

 

Just got my two motors, which were pictured as the circular/vertical plugs like OEM. Turns out they lied and they are rectangle ones. Guess I’m going to have to do what you described and I’m not happy about it...

 

The toyota fans = totally different plug. If you want the correct plug expect to pay 250.00 each for the OEM LR efan assemblies.

Cut the old plugs off & splice them onto the new fans and call it a day. Use some 3M heat shrink butt connectors and they'll be good to go for many many many many years!

 

That is what I did.

 

Well, after a few weeks with new Camry radiator fan motors my truck has once again overheated after idling for about 15 minutes. By “overheated” I mean the temp gauge went all the way in to the red. With my new Ultra-Gauge installed, I could see the temp reached about 206 Fahrenheit. Is that even hot for these engines?

I’m going to chalk this one up to a poor exhaust system. I can tell everything (except the cats) from the manifold to the tailpipe is 23 years old and crusty.

 

206 isnt even close to hot. There are 2 separate senders, one for the gauge and one for the ECU. Sounds like your gauge sensor may be acting up. If you have an IR thermometer you can shoot it at the thermostat and verify the actual temp.

 

206 is just approaching the zone to be concerned. 210 and higher on a regular basis suggests another issue. What was ambient temp and did you have A/C on?

 

It was only about 70 Fahrenheit outside, no A/C. Truck usually stays at 170 while driving.
I’ve also noticed some dried coolant around my thermostat housing. I’m thinking my Motorad 180 degree T-stat is blocking too much coolant. What’s a better brand?