Toyota Repair: temperature needle goes up when car is stuck in traffic, head gasket problem, fan clutch

Question
Hi Ted ,

Please give me some advise,my car is 1990 cressida,with 750000 ( i just bought it ) .So far the check engine light is ON,and i noticed that if my car is moving,temperature needle is in the middle,but when i am stuck in traffic,it would go all the way up to RED Line.Once the car is moving ,it would drop down . I have flushed the coolant,and replaced the thermostat,still i am having the same problem,i took it to a radiatorspecialist and he turned me away,said that he can't do anything since my radiator is not clogged,and the hoses are fine. I also heard that it could be the head gasket problem,is this it? I am still driving it but got very nervous when i am stuck in traffic,please help !

Answer
Hello, at this time I don't think it's ahead gasket issue, I think a possible problem may be the fan clutch, if it was ahead gasket it should show up more under load while driving. Check the fan clutch, when the engine is warm the fan should the fan should be hard to rotate, when cold it should be very easy to rotate by hand, if this not the case the fluid coupling is not working, it can actually be taken apart and serviced by putting new silicon oil in it, you just have to find someone that knows what I'm talking about and is willing to do this, you may opt to just replace it.