My engine reaches a peak regular running temp. of just above one increment above the 90 degree celsius half way point on the coolant temp gauge. My 2.4L Z24 before my 2200 sedan also ran at the same temp. BUT the thing is, the stock thermostat is suposed to be 180 degrees fahrenheit. I used an online calcualtor and 180 degrees F = 82.2 degrees C. So according to the gauge, my thermostat is not regulating the temp. at 82.2 C, because like I said, my engine is running above 90 C. And, I notice when my engine happens to be running at a lower temp, or I have the heater going, and the engine is running cooler, on the 90 C mark or just under, the engine runs and performs a lot better. SO, does anyone know if my thermostat DOES need replacing? Or are the third gen gauges just off on the actualy temp. If they are off, where can I find a 160 F thermostat too lower the engine temp.?
Working on obtainting an M-Class license... ?? Hint: 2 wheels.
your engine is running correctly, if it stays around 195 F, then yor 180 F thermostat is in good condition, but it wouldnt hurt to change it on a tired engine...
98 z24, few upgrades, nitrous on the way!
Both my Sunfire (2200) and my brother's (Ecotec) would run right around the 90 degree mark most of the time. I would consider this "normal". Occasionally it will run warmer than that if sitting in traffic or when towing on a hill, but I've never had any trouble with overheating.
I'm surprised that the engine would run much differently at a slightly lower temperature - I would think that the temperature of the incoming air would have more of an influence. You don't want to run it too cold, or your efficiency will drop, and it may not get the oil hot enough to burn off some contaminants - resulting in the potential for more sludge accumulation. If it seems to be running at the same temperature it always has, I wouldn't bother messing with it. Often thermostats will fail the other way - sticking part way open which slows the rate that the engine warms up.
I haven't looked up the specs on our cars, but most other cars I've owned always came with a 195F thermostat - not a 180, which is why 90C always seemed "normal" to me.
Short answer - you probably have nothing wrong with the thermostat. Just keep the cooling system flushed at the proper intervals, and make sure that the rad is kept clean.
John
Yes men In the manual says the thermostat apperture temp is 195F (90.5C) you must have a 195F thermostat but a 180F can works geat if you want to engine little cooler ( the ECT sensor make on or off the engine fan at the specific engine temperature no matter the apperture of the thermostat),
but let me tell you what a cooler car means: Poor Gas Efficient, Excesive engine metals wear and Less engine life time.
of cuorse a hot engine is very bad too, but a engine in adecuated range of temperature is the best,
is worst a car whitout thermostat, than a car whit it.
The engine temperature is controlled by the PCM and the ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor, not by the Thermostat.
all very true. mine runs just a bit hot sometimes, but it always stays between 180 and 200 degrees for running temp. yeah, its normal.
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
Your car will go all the way up to 106c or like 220. So you are fine. On a hot day you will noticed the temp going higher because the fan temps on are cars aren't set to come on till 220 i belive. Only way to remedy it is to turn the a/c on or wire the fan direct.
