A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a heat transfer rate module, a desired flow rate module, a flow rate adjustment module, and a pump control module. The heat transfer rate module determines a rate of heat transfer from an engine to coolant flowing through the engine based on a cylinder wall temperature and a measured coolant temperature. The desired flow rate module determines a desired rate of coolant flow through the engine based on the heat transfer rate. The flow rate adjustment module determines a coolant flow rate adjustment based on a desired coolant temperature and the measured coolant temperature. The pump control module controls a coolant pump to adjust an actual rate of coolant flow through the engine based on the desired coolant flow rate and the coolant flow rate adjustment.