I Have a 180 thermostat in car car is now running between 195-210 should it be running lower or is this correct?

2005 SS SC

 

I have a 180 TStat in my 3800 Monte SS. My Temp runs about the same. As long as your fans come on when they should, about 220°, and your temp decreases, youshould be OK!

 

lol might sound silly but my car knowledge is young and in need of more how do you know if your fans kick on? my basic brain would say run the car with the hood open wait till temp is reached and watch the fans but like i said im knew to the monte an mechanical world please help my remedial self !!!

 

Yes you can use that method to check the fans coming on

 

Does it do this at idol or while driving? I to have a 180° thermo.. At Idle (red lights, traffic) after driving for a while my temp creeps to about half maybe a hair over and then will cool back down when driving again/ fans turn on. Just drive it around the block a few times to get the blood pumping and then do like you said with popping the hood and watching for the fan to make sure it is in fact kicking on. Some times our sensors for the fan gets gunky/worn out and won't kick your fan on which would explain the high temps. Would check that first if they don't kick on

 

Sounds around normal, changing to a lower thermostat wont affect when the fans come on.

 

Since a lot of the sensors are dependent on engine temp to report the correct voltage to the PCM it is recommended that the same temp be used when it is replaced. The exception to the rule is if you have modified the engine.

 

you could also get a tune to have your fans turn on at a lower temp

 

I recently replaced my 195 with a 180 stat. I have two temp gauges - one goes to the top next to the water neck, the other on the side of the block where the original electrical temp sensor was (to idiot light). My top-side manifold gauge reads at about 170, about 25 degrees cooler than when I had the 195 stat. My block gauge reads at about 180 on the nose. Both remaining steady so far, although I'm still waiting in our S. Texas summers to get here.

 

The temp on my car would go up to 220 and the fans would come on when I got my Monte 3 years ago. So i replaced the 195 stat with a 180. It did not make a difference. I've replaced everything except the Radiator. The temp still goes up to 220 and the fans kick on and the temp drops to 180. And the cycle begins again. My Monte never overheats and the temp drops when the fans are running. But I would like the temp to stay at 180 and only go up in heavy traffic on a Hot day!