Temperature rising after being turned off

Hello,

This is my first 4Runner that I've had. It's a 1994, 2wd, v6, 3.0, with 167k.

So far everything is running well on it. I recently done the spark plugs and wires and got the valves cover gaskets replaced + a coolant hose.

I did not notice if this happened before, but after I turn the runner off and let it sit for about 20 minutes and turn it back on; the temperature gauge will move up to the middle and sometimes even past the middle to the red side. When it's running it'll be a hair below he middle mark. Today I was quiet scared that it was going to over heat, but I turned the heater on and the needle went back down quickly. Like it jumped to its normal position. Sometimes I just drive it normally and it'll go down as well (without the heater turned on).

I checked if their was air in the system and everything looks good.

My question is if this is normal for the SUV. I need this thing to last!

P.S. I normally drive in 95 degree weather and it is city driving. it has not overheated while driving.

 

I think you're describing "heat soak", sounds normal as long as the temp goes back to the normal zone when the vehicle is running again. Basically you have all the heat of an engine that was running and your cooling system is not running to get rid of it so it just sits there and builds up a bit. I would think as long as you're not boiling coolant you would be ok, oh and welcome to the site

 

What @jester243 said. Its normal for the temp to rise after you turn the engine off because there is nothing cooling the engine anymore. That's why if you ever start to over heat while driving its best to not stop/shut off the car because it'll just get hotter. Granted if you're blowing coolant everywhere from it boiling over you're going to have to, but if you catch it before that point just crank the heater and try to keep the speed going without putting too much load on the engine. Having the vehicle moving and air forced through the radiator is one of the best things that cools you're engine. Hope this all helps

Oh and welcome! Get some sweet pics taken and post them on the 4runner calendar thread (link in sig) so it can maybe get featured

 

Make sure your radiator is clear and clean.