Thermostat question

[mbertal2]

I recently replaced my stock thermostat with a 180 degree thermostat. Since then my car has been running 5-10 degrees hotter. I was wondering if this is normal?

[98Camaro3.8]

Shouldn't run any hotter. Did you bleed the air out of the cooling system once you refilled the coolant?

[mbertal2]

No maybe I should try that. How would I go about doing that?

[98Camaro3.8]

Start the car and open the bleeder screw by the thermostat cover. Allow the engine to heat up with the bleeder open. Eventually it'll start bubbling out. Once it stops bubbling (ie, more of a constant stream of fluid) tighten it back down. Done.

Just be careful since it's kind of hot. ;)

[mbertal2]

Ok I did that. It started coming out in a constant stream. But its still running a little hotter. Not quite as hot, but still hot. Any other suggestions?

[navyblue2000]

how are you able to tell it is running hotter?

the thermostat needle (chuckle) or autotap/other diagnostic software, or a seperate temp gage?

[Red]

You do mean hotter than the stock one (around 210) and not hotter than the 180' (about 190). The temp will not be exactly 180 with the 180' stat, it will wun hotter than that but less than 210.

[navyblue2000]

careful with your information there.

the stocker is 195*. All this dictates is the temperature at which the thermostat opens.

Naturally, the coolant will be the hottest inside the block and at the return coolant line - however the sensor is located in a different place. WHen I had the manual fan switch and a 180* thermo, just city cruising hardly ever got to 180. On the highway it barely reached 170 even in summer

[mbertal2]

Well before I put it in it ran about 210, now that I put it in, it still runs about 210, maybe a little less. Do you guys suggest getting a manual fan switch?

[andrew.brandon]

maybe a coolent flush before the switch. oh and if you do most of your driving in the city then it will run hotter than on the highway. the thermostat opens at 180 and at highway speeds air is scooped up by the air damn and cools the radiator. in the city the air just sits there and gets hot, thus not cooling the coolent till the fans lick in.

[IceBird]

Just for the sake of discussion what exactly would happen to the 3.8 if you removed the thermostat ? You know like old school.

[Red]

haven't done it, but my haynes says it will run in an open look causing bad emmisions and performance.

[IceBird]

I dont undertsand. Is there a sensor that detects the flow of water? How does the PCM know if the stat is open,closed or gone? Can your PCM be tuned for no stat? Imgonna start a topic on this so more people can give their input.