What exactly do aftermarket thermostats do? What is the stock one?


Sorry for the ignorant questions, just never knew.

 

When your engine reaches operating temp, the thermo opens allowing coolant into the engine. I believe it's done with wax. There's some in the thermo that expands as it heats, opening a valve on the thermo. Aftermarket thermos have a lower temp reached to open the valve. Stock is 195 degrees, I just installed a 180 so 15 degrees earlier the valve opens.

On a side note, I have another question for the experts with this. I researched and could find nothing posted about others getting a CEL code for running too cold. Mine started pulling that code shortly after installing the 180. Has anyone else experienced this? Granted, she's running noticeably cooler now (which makes me wonder if I should hold onto the 195 and use the 180 only in summer). But I hadn't thought it would be enough to trigger a code. Any ideas? I don't see how, but I've thought maybe this 180 has been staying open all the time, since the temp now is much cooler than I expected.

-Eric

 

So lower thermostats allow coolant into the engine earlier, thus keeping the temperature down, increase performance?

 

If you have modified the car to produce more power they can help with controlling detonation but also can lead to sludge on a daily driver that gets slightly long or even normal oil change intervals with Dino juice.

Just a thought to keep in the back of your mind.

 

Before the '70s, cars had 180 degree thermostats standard. They were changed to 195 degrees as part of emissions control; the hotter temp helps to burn more of the pollutants IIRC. It also helps to get the engine hot faster, which increases fuel mileage and again lowers pollution.

How much difference in power will changing to a 180 thermostat make? I don't know, but I suspect it's not much.

BTW, when the thermostat opens, it allows the coolant already in the block to circulate through the radiator. It's not like there's no coolant in the engine before the thermostat opens.

 

I'm really sorry but it must be late, because this concept still isn't making sense...

Crystal?
MChat?
anyone?

I feel wee-tawd-ed now..

 

When your car runs too hot, its not running at its best. By helping the car run cooler your freeing up more area for horsepower. And yes it does help, bigtime.

I've never gotten any such code, and Im S1, which would make no difference. I have friends with S0s running 160s.

 

Hmmm...odd. If she pulls the code again maybe I'll throw the stock back in til it gets a bit warmer and try again to see what happens. Thanks!

-Eric

 

what exact code is it throwing? i looked in this thread but i didn't see it......

one thing that people also need to remember.....running a 180 degree thermo isn't going to do much on race day w/out a fan switch. great so the thermo opens earlier, but it's still going to get up in the 200's when you're sitting in the lanes idleing. so install a fan switch, and that in conjunction with the lower thermo will help.

whoosh - what don't you get? i don't understand what you're asking about.....

 

Actually, I don't remember what code #. I took her to autozone to have them clear it for me and tell me what code it was (already thinking it had something to do with the thermo) but I forgot to write it down. I will if she does it again. Whatever the #, it was a code for the engine temp being too cold. The first thing the tech asked me was if I had just replaced the thermo. I'll search to see if I can find it somewhere else here or elsewhere on the net.