160 Thermostat
09-08-2004, 09:54 AM
#2
Originally Posted by Silver02
Should the temperature on my gauge read lower now that I switched to a 160 thermostat?
From my understanding, the new thermostat will make the fan go on early to keep the engine at 160 degrees, instead of the stock 180, so it should.
edit: I just remembered that only the 98 works at all on purpose. So it won't do anything. Let your time slips do the talking
-Todd
Last edited by Gloveperson; 09-08-2004 at 11:06 AM.
09-08-2004, 10:17 AM
#3
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Unless you have 98 your gauge should read just like before. GM turned it into an idiot-light. Mine reads about 170-180ish, which is where my fan settings are keeping it most of the time.
09-08-2004, 07:38 PM
#5
Originally Posted by Gloveperson
From my understanding, the new thermostat will make the fan go on early to keep the engine at 160 degrees, instead of the stock 180, so it should.
A 160 degree thermostat in reality will do nothing to running temps if you consider how it works. First of all, a 160 t-stat opens at 175 degrees, not 160. Second, all the 160 thermo does is allow the coolant to enter the motor earlier. IF, you are driving the car during and after the 160 thermo opens, the coolant temp will be slightly lower. IF, you are sitting in traffic, not moving, the motor will go up to normal running temp. A 160 thermo will NOT make ANY difference at all in this case. No matter what though, a 160 thermo will make the motor take longer to warm up, but not much longer. The fans are pretty much the only thing keeping the temps down.
Also, since your car is a 2002, the temp gauge doesn't actually work, so you won't notice any change anyways...
Hope this helps
