car operating temp question

[greenasgrass]

i have a 1997, which means a 195 deg thermostat. but when i drive on the highway, the car stays around 180 degrees. it heats up towards 210 deg just like all our stupid cars do when sitting for long periods, but when i start going again it sits at 180 degrees. did the previous owner put in a 180 deg thermo?

[thebigwaldo]

Same here. Even with the fan mod, it won't get below that second line (the one in the middle of 160 and 210, that's more like 185). In traffic, it'll rise to 210 but that's when the fans kick in and I've never seen it higher.

I was thinking about getting a 160* thermostat sometime soon since that's about the only mod I can afford and can complete on my college-kid budget.

So what's the deal here?

jeremy

[greenasgrass]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by thebigwaldo:
Same here. Even with the fan mod, it won't get below that second line (the one in the middle of 160 and 210, that's more like 185). In traffic, it'll rise to 210 but that's when the fans kick in and I've never seen it higher.

I was thinking about getting a 160* thermostat sometime soon since that's about the only mod I can afford and can complete on my college-kid budget.

yeah, thats what mine does, but when driving it's actually below the 185 deg mark, what looks like about 180 deg. any one know if this is normal for a 195 deg thermo??
So what's the deal here?

jeremy<hr></blockquote>

[greenasgrass]

my reply posted weird (above). my response is in the last paragraph of jeremy's quote (???)

[greenasgrass]

surely some one must have a thought???

[Dojo2000]

The stock temp gauge is not very accurate(sp?) What looks like 180* is most likely 195-200*. This might not be a good example but its what I tell everyone: With my OBD 2 software I monitored the temp from the PCM while the car was idling. The PCM said 212*, but the gauge didn't read anywhere near 210* (looked kinda like 190 on the gauge).

[LiquiDCooL]

i had the samething going on and i drove to new mexico and the damn car over heated at a light, i think part of this was due to elevation... anyway i put a 160 deg thermo in my 97 and i can drive `120 all day (or until i run outa gas) and the thermo wont go above that dash after the 160 mark... and the car runs better :) i totally suggest the 160 mod. and your right it is cheap...