Water Temperature Gauge - 1998 Rav4

[HawkeyeAU]

Hi All,

I bought a 1998 Rav4 last week with 170K on the clock. Today was the first chance since purchase to take a drive out of the city and I noticed that while in city traffic the water temperature gauge was reading normal i.e. about half way between hot and cold, but when I got out on to the freeway and away from traffic the gauge dropped down to a few mm above the cold mark. The engine didn't seem to be straining and when I stoped and checked the radiator and reservoir they were fine and once I got back into traffic the gauge was reading normal again.

This is the first Toyota I've owned and I recall hearing that this was a trait of some of their models. Has anyone else had this happen or know why it might be happening?

Many thanks,

[dawesy]

sounds like the thermostat has failed and is open all the time, does it take a while to warm up?

if it warms up normally the it could be the temp sender that is faulty

[Fujisan]

Sounds to me (but I'm no expert ), like your thermostat is stuck wide open, so that your getting over-cooling when on the open road, with a good flow of cool air through the rad.

I have no idea how easy or hard it is to change on your car, the last thermostat I changed was 20+ years ago

[HawkeyeAU]

Thanks for the quick replies :)

I've only driven the car a few times but it appears to warm up normally. In your opinion(s) is it a problem that requires an urgent fix i.e. don't drive again until fixed or can be seen to in a week or two's time?

Cheers.

[Fujisan]

Thanks for the quick replies :)

I've only driven the car a few times but it appears to warm up normally. In your opinion(s) is it a problem that requires an urgent fix i.e. don't drive again until fixed or can be seen to in a week or two's time?

Cheers.

Oh, in my un-expert opinion, do it when you can. If it was the other way around (stuck shut) that would be an urgent problem. But this......when you get time

Good luck

[bothwell_buyer]

Snap - wi Dawesey and Fuj.

Ye panic if it goes above halfway cos yer fkkkkd

If it runs well below midway, then yer over-cooling which proves the majority is working bldg well. An as they say it might be yer therno needing a dunt or changing - take it oot and try it in a pot o boiling water.

Or jist buy a new thermo and spend a few quid on yer favorite drink.....