Both the one I took out and the new one were NAPA. I don't have a way to test the thing in a pot of water - the wife keeps the pans and thermometers hidden from me......
I can switch out the stat in about 30 minutes now anyway so it ain't that big of a deal.....

 

HaHA! That is true. After you pull the tstat out a couple of times, it gets very easy!!

 

I also have an '01 with the 5.2. I got a hypertech powerstat when I did my plenum gasket change. It was warm when I started using it....about mid 60s or so. As soon as it got a little cooler the code showed up. Would not go away either. Tried cardboard on the radiator and everything.I take my daughter to pre-school in the morning, and I was sick ofmaking her freeze and having to stop for gas more often. So, I just changed back to a stock 195. It seemsthat our '01rams area little bit different than other model years.

 

There have been some quality issues with the Hypertech thermostats, several forum members have posted this. There is a possibility you had a bad stat and it was not just opening incorrectly - it may have been stuck open from what you describe. Not to tell you what to do - but since you have r&r ed the stat already - you know how to do it, you might consider trying a different 180 stat in the future....

 

Tomorrow I am having the radiator flushed and plan to have my 195 stat replaced with a jet performance 180. If this throws a code, what is the big deal? I ask becauseI don't know. Can I drive it with the code or do I risk problems. This is preventative maintenance before a 1200 mile trip towing a 3500 pound load. Thanks.

 

it doesn't hurt to drive with the code.

 

I agreeyou won'thave any pain or discomfort driving with the CEL on , but if somethingimportant causes a code you won't know it because the light will already be on.

 

Makes sense, thanks for the feedback.

 

This code rarely causes the CEL to come on, just a stored code. And it can hurt your mileage becasue if you never reach warm-up mode, the PCM will stay in open loop mode until it does. That means more fuel is given.

 

If you have a Hypertech (saw it in your sig) you can get rid of the cel easily. You shouldn't have any problem with getting a code now that it's warmed up anyway. Mine didn't do anything til it got down into the high 30's......
You will keep it warmed up anyway pulling the trailer. No Problem Man.....