Hey folks. Lately my 2006 Limited (72,000 miles) has been running hotter than before. Previously it stayed steadily at 33% hot when running in most every condition. Now it stays at around 50% or a bit under. I also smell a weird smell when I stop it. No codes are flashing and people tell me not to worry about it but I'd much rather stop problems before they happen. I did a coolant flush and burped it as described but it didn't seem to change much.

My outside temperature sensor is broken and has been for a while.

Could this be the source of things, or do you all have other advice?

My AC/HVAC has intermittent issues, sometimes blowing out hot air instead of cold or whining. My engine fans seem fine.

 

If your engine temperature is running at half or just under, that is normal. It will go a tick above half when running hard.

PS If it was only running at 33%, your thermostat must have been partly stuck open.

 

Fair enough. It just stuck me as odd that it suddenly started going from 33% up the gauge to 50%. The stuck open thermostat might make sense. I had some clueless folks working on it for a while.