Summer coolant temps?

[Sam Gideon]

Does anyone else have issues with their cooling systems creeping over 185F in summer heat?
I've noticed that in when the ambient temperature goes north of 95F, then my coolant temperature will go to 195-198'ish or so.
Usually it's a rock solid 185F, but I'm just trying to get a read on what's normal and what's a potential cause for alarm with these aftermarket thermostats.

Thanks!

 

[Unholy707]

Stock is a bit over 200. What do you have, a 180 degree thermostat? I see 195 at the top end of the track on a 90 degree day. Are you sitting in traffic? Tuned? Fans running? 195 isn’t too hot. Get to 225 and you have problems. I have a 180 degree, they actually open at 185

 

[Unholy707]

I had a 160 go bad and my temp got to 225. Scary stuff. Was able to get it home and let it cool off. Swapped in a 180 I had and haven’t had problems since, that’s was years ago

 

[1971demon]

I had a 160 go bad and my temp got to 225. Scary stuff. Was able to get it home and let it cool off. Swapped in a 180 I had and haven’t had problems since, that’s was years ago

Musta been...car hasn't run in YEARS

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

@Sam Gideon What Brand Thermostat are you using?

How is the air-conditioning feeling?


~Linda

 

[Unholy707]

Musta been...car hasn't run in YEARS

Stay in your lane.

 

[Sam Gideon]

Stock is a bit over 200. What do you have, a 180 degree thermostat? I see 195 at the top end of the track on a 90 degree day. Are you sitting in traffic? Tuned? Fans running? 195 isn’t too hot. Get to 225 and you have problems. I have a 180 degree, they actually open at 185

This is good to know and what I was looking for in terms of comparison.
I'm the 2nd owner and bought the vehicle with the parts installed and according to the seller, he had installed a Mishimoto 180.
I only see temps go above 185 when I'm idling in traffic on a particularly hot day or when I'm traveling at 70mph on a hwy with the A/C on a very hot day. The fans definitely turn on as the temps will drop a few degrees when it gets above 185, so it's definitely TRYING to mitigate the temps, I'm just trying to get a better understanding on the hardware and what's considered "normal"

 

[Unholy707]

I would go with an HHP 180 degree thermostat. I put mine in 6 years ago and haven’t ever had any problems. A whipple 160 degree went bad after 4 months and almost cooked my engine. I had to replace the seal around mine when I just cracked the thermostat housing open a few months ago but that’s it, stock size gasket from autozone

 

[Unholy707]

Once the ambient temp outside gets above 95 you’re going to see higher temps with things, not much you can do about it. If it gets to 200 I’d replace it with an HHP unit

 

[Sam Gideon]

@Sam Gideon What Brand Thermostat are you using?

How is the air-conditioning feeling?


~Linda

According to the list of tuning/aftermarket parts given to the dealership by the previous owner, it's a Mishimoto 180. I haven't inspected it myself, but I don't have a reason to suspect otherwise given that under normal conditions, the displayed temp of 185 is indicative of an aftermarket thermostat and PCM tune.
The A/C blows ICE cold when in use, it actually makes me feel kinda bad: here I am sitting in comfort while the poor beast is sweltering. I know that's what it's SUPPOSED to do, but I tend to have an increased amount of mechanical sympathy for my vehicles which is why I never beat on them. There's probably something wrong with me when it comes to the bond I have with my machines....

 

[Sam Gideon]

Once the ambient temp outside gets above 95 you’re going to see higher temps with things, not much you can do about it. If it gets to 200 I’d replace it with an HHP unit

Thank you! I'm going to look into this because I was contemplating replacing the thermostat regardless just so I could know 100% what's under the hood.

The waterpump started failing shortly after I bought it, (possibly due to the mechanical stresses imposed by having both a 2.85 upper and a Ripatuned "Incognito" lower installed) and I replaced the pump with one from HHP.
Everything has been running perfect since then with no leaks or squeaks. (I also had the Incognito removed at the advice of Dusterhoff tuning)

 

[Unholy707]

I’m not sure that anyone has seen any kind of failure due to the incognito. It is fast easy power, but I wouldn’t run one due to the additional weight. I’ve gone back and forth on it. It wouldn’t add anymore mechanical stress to the water pump, but it would spin it faster. Same with the alternator and AC compressor. Curious why he recommended removing it

 

[1971demon]

Stay in your lane.

Why...I'm always a couple hundred yards ahead of you..