rworegon
10-27-2009, 08:34 PM
Over the past year the coolant temp has gradually gone from 190+/- to 202+/- at 65mph on a 50deg day. This is after replacing the radiator, thermostat, flushing the system and refilling with Toyota Red at 50/50 with distilled water.
This weekend I replaced the t-belt (also water pump, both idler, and tensioner) at 180k. The t-belt had about 60k on it and spec. is 60k. When pulling it off, I noticed it was very slack - like the tensioner had failed. The tensioner idler was smeared with black rubber even though the bearing was tuning. My thought is that with he slack the belt was basically slapping the idlers and not actually driving them efficiently. Thus, even though the water pump is in great shape it was not turning enough keep an adequate flow.
Thanks for all the write-ups and pictures on this site that gave me the confidence to tackle this project. It was successful....after a long test drive the coolant temps is back to 190+/- at 65mph on a 48 deg day. :D
This weekend I replaced the t-belt (also water pump, both idler, and tensioner) at 180k. The t-belt had about 60k on it and spec. is 60k. When pulling it off, I noticed it was very slack - like the tensioner had failed. The tensioner idler was smeared with black rubber even though the bearing was tuning. My thought is that with he slack the belt was basically slapping the idlers and not actually driving them efficiently. Thus, even though the water pump is in great shape it was not turning enough keep an adequate flow.
Thanks for all the write-ups and pictures on this site that gave me the confidence to tackle this project. It was successful....after a long test drive the coolant temps is back to 190+/- at 65mph on a 48 deg day. :D