Temperature rising

TALLMAN1OF1

MEMBER
2002 LEXUS ES 300
0.6L
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC
183,000 MILES

I recently replaced the radiator and thermostat and burped the radiator but my temperature is still raising. I looked to see if the fans were running and the were but not until the temperature got close to the H. The temperature rose to the H but went back down between the normal and the H for at least forty minutes. What could be the issue?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

When engine is cold, check coolant level in radiator. If coolant level is low, you have air trapped in system. This vehicle requires a few hot cold running cycle to bleed the air from system.
If coolant level is correct, run the engine for a few minutes and when it gets to almost operating temperature, check if the top hose is hot. Compare it with the lower hose temperature. A temperature reading would be the best way to go about. When fans starts running, feel the air being drawn by the radiator. If upper air is not hot, coolant flow is restricted.
As the cooling fans are working, it most probably is due to coolant flow issue. Check the thermostat, though new, it could be bad too. The other likely culprit wold be a weak water pump.