203 thermostat
203 thermostat
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
It helped mine when I put one on two years ago. I know that there's been an evolution of the water pump on these engines over the years, so be sure the themostat you get fits your water pump.
I didn't have a problem with mine, but have heard of guys that did.
I didn't have a problem with mine, but have heard of guys that did.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 173
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From: Central KY
From What I have Read, the 1995 model year is about the cutoff for the factory 203 'stat. Just check that the engine was made in 1996 and up and you will need to get the special 203* 'stat. Dieselstop has an article about this. Without this special one, circulation of coolant in the engine will not be correct.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 394
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From: memphis
Will the temp on the gauge be any different?
Man I really hate having to pull that housing off. Took for ever to get it to stop leaking. Wish there was a billet one like for the later models. Oh well, I like a challenge!
Man I really hate having to pull that housing off. Took for ever to get it to stop leaking. Wish there was a billet one like for the later models. Oh well, I like a challenge!
Last edited by horsecop; Mar 23, 2004 at 11:01 PM.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 164
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From: Spokane, WA
How much do you benefit from the 203 t-stat mod? Is there any noticable difference, or just a peace of mind thing?
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
When I put on my 203* unit, I was replacing a 185* model. I saw a higher reading on the gauge, and more heat from the heater. Maybe it's just my imagination, but the truck seemed to run better afterwards, too.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
When the engine is fully warmed, and the t-stat is fully opened, the t-stat has no effect on engine temp.
Think about it. Open is open. A t-stat can't be more than fully opened, and once the t-stat is fully opened, it is flowing as much coolant as it can.
The t-stat will attempt to keep the engine from dropping below a certain temp, 195* or 203*, and it will not allow coolant to be cooled by the radiator until that certain temp is reached.
Think about it. Open is open. A t-stat can't be more than fully opened, and once the t-stat is fully opened, it is flowing as much coolant as it can.
The t-stat will attempt to keep the engine from dropping below a certain temp, 195* or 203*, and it will not allow coolant to be cooled by the radiator until that certain temp is reached.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
The idea behind the hotter thermostat is to get the operating temperature to a higher level that is better for engine efficiency. The radiator on the Powerstrokes cools the the coolant so well that the operating temp of the engine is actually lower than the rating of the thermostat. The hotter thermostat allows the engine to operate closer to this range. Under a load the engine temp will be at the thermostat's rated temp.
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