I'm in baja in a town about 5 hours south of the border to do some fishing. Roads were really muddy so we coated the rover over pretty well while exploring the volcano and bay area.

Coming out of the boonies the Scan Gauge water temp hit 215. I've only seen as high as 211. Took it to a service station and washed the radiator off really good and it still hit 215 in traffic coming back. Both times we put the heater on an lowered the temp from 5 to 10 degrees. Haven't run it for more than a few miles since. It has plenty of fluid, and I can't find a leak in the radiator.

Is this thing running hot? At what temp do I have to worry?

Thanks guys.

 

I see those temps in the summer at long idle times.

 

Just got a scanguage - my 04 hits around that - dash temp guage is directly in the middle and everything looks perfect. Now this is idling at GA stoplights. Running she backs down to 190's.

 

That is fine for 100*F desert heat or sitting in traffic with the a/c on for long periods.
While off roading in August in deep sand with the a/c cranking away my truck runs 210-215, cruising the expressway 196-200.

Any higher than 220 and you are asking for trouble.
230 is WAY to hot and 240 is death.
250 and she's melted.

 

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it does on the way back up, after the fishing.

 

Never got over 215 again. Over the 5 hour drive back with some mountains thrown in, it stayed in the normal operating range from 200 to 209.

I figure mud in the radiator + the truck working a little extra in the super muddy conditions cause the jump in temps.

Oh, and we tore the fish up down there:

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ba...-tails-sq.html

 

Sweet fish.
All my fish says "Gortons" on the box.

 

You need to check and see if the front cooling fan is on when the temp gets that warm, you are pushing the limit and this does need to be found/fixed.

 

That was my hypothesis after a clogged radiator. When is the electric front cooling fan triggered and how can I trigger it to check to see if it's working? Is it common to have the fan go bad, or corroded connectors or any other tricks for it?

 

It is in the RAVE on when the electric fan will come on, but it is something like this, engine at temp, a/c on, outside air temp above 70*F.
If the a/c is not on then the fan will come on when the engine reaches 215-220.

Try to spin it by hand (with the ignition off of course), it is common for the fan motor to seize from age.
If that is your problem then report back.