Thermostat Talk

[Mad Joe]

I've owned 35 vehicles over the last 40 years. The only time I have had a thermostat stick closed, with the exception of 1 Non Chrysler car, have been my dodge vans. I've owned 4 Dodge vans and have had thermostats stick in the closed position at least 6 times. The Olds I own is currently stuck open. Can't get much heat in the winter, but at least it will not overheat like it will when stuck closed.

Anyone else experience this?

Also, is there any downside switching to a 180 degree thermostat on an '86 other than not heating as well in the winter?

Thanks.

[landyacht318]

Mad Joe,

I had a thermostat decide not to open fully once when driving cross country through west Texas in the summer. The temp kept climbing slowly over a hundred miles and when it hit the 2/3 level, I pulled over at a truck parking area in the middle of nowhere. I had a 185 thermostat and gasket with me and removed them on the side of I-10. The old t-stat was stuck little over half open, and was crunchy when I forced movement. After I chiseled out the old gasket and cleaned the housing, I could'nt find the damn new gasket. After a while of fruitless searching in the van, I figured it blew away and had to go traipsing off in the desert looking for it. Seen my first rattler on that outing.

Anyway I found it, installed the 185 and filled the system with water from my cooler, and drove away. The temp gauge then never again went above a quarter. My fuel economy went from 16.5 + to never above 15 again, till I got a rebuild 9 months later. It was then discovered a head was cracked. I'm almost sure it happened in Texas as it never ran as smooth.


I think, but am not sure, that any vehicle with fuel injection should use the reccommended temp t-stat. The ECM thinks it's not warm enough and adds more fuel. Poorer mpg.

I always travel with a replacement 195 and gasket.

[Mad Joe]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have F.I. I've got a 2 barrel carb, but I do have some computer equipment.

These Texas summers can get hot, but we have been lucky this year.

[Dodgevanman]

Swapping to 180 thermostat should be okay.

I've never had a thermostat stick closed or open. However, I have taken the thermostat housing off and discovered that a previous owner removed the thermostat. ????? Silly people.

[Mad Joe]

Let me tell you. When they stick in the closed postion, it doesn't take long at all for the engine to overheat. I most recently had this problem happen a month ago. After removing the thermostat, I put it in boiling water on the stove. That damn thing never opened!!!