SO Im standing at a stop when my temperature gauge started to rise. Once I got going, the temperature dropped. Would it be wise to change the thermostat to fix the problem? Thought I might run this by anyone who has an idea of what it might be

 

You can put a lower temp T-Stat in, but you will also have to change the PCM for the Temperature / FAN to come on at a lower temp ...

 

Are the fans coming on???

 

yeah, thats the thing the fans are coming on but the temperature gauge reads that it rising, thats why Im wondering if changing the T-stat will fix the problem. . . .so changing the T-stat also means getting the car tuned??

 

when sitting at a stop for a while like 4-5min it will go up to like 210? then drive like a block or two and go back to 180ish. I think I got the same problem as you do =/.

 

the car should be operating around 210. unless you have a lower temp T-Stat.

You only need to tune the car if you get a lower temp T-stat. When you get the lower temp T-stat you tune the car to get the fans to come on at the lower temps.

 

mine will actually go a bit above 210ish and yeah I drive for a block or two and comes back down. What causes this? Its really annoying and I would really like to fix it.

 

Like stated, if you get a lower temp stat, you need to get your fans reprogrammed to take advantage of the stat's lower temp.

 

thanks for all the input, I will be changing the T-stat this weekend and see if the problem is fixed

 

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is normal. Cooler does not always mean better. A cooler thermostat might keep the engine running at 160 but why waste your money when there is nothing wrong with it rising to 210? There is probably a reason GM put a 210* thermostat in instead of a 160.

 

in my 2000 SS the temp stays at 210 the whole time while i'm running . . . i can let the car sit at idle at it stays at 210

 

Todays car are designed to run at a higher temp due to emissions. 210-220'ish not un-normal to be running about (if sitting for a long period of time or in high temp regions.
You may not like it.. but.. as a few have already stated.. its normal.

If you want to run at a lower temp in attempt for increased power, you need to reprogram your PCM and change the T-Stat.

I am running a Duel SPA fan with SPA's standalone controller and a lower temp T-Stat. I can control it when I want them to come on and off.

 

My car does the same thing. I think its normal. I will be getting my fan temps lowered with hp tuners and leaving my t-stat stock.

 

yeah 210 sounds normal thats what it was idleing at before until recently. Heres another thing, What happens when the Temp. needle starts climbing well over 240 degrees? Keep in mind that the fans do come on though.

 

A lower temp thermostat will open sooner than a stock one allowing coolant flow through the engine sooner. If the engine is overheating, chances are it isn't because of the thermostat. Only way a thermostat would cause that is if it weren't opening in which case just get a replacement stock one.

If it isn't the thermostat then you have bigger problems on your hands.