Coolant temp 96 taurus
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Wow, I'm about ready to just buy a cheap temp gage and stick it under the dash. After a little more driving, new pump, stat, and temp sender, I wonder if the gage is showing actual temp swing( which is alot less now than when I first got the car) or varying due to voltage surge/drain. The stat is 192-195. Thinking about getting around a 180 stat and just seeing if the cooler temp shows on the gage and produces less swing on the gage. Car is running good, never too hot or overheating, but all highway getting 22 mpg. Cooler stat help[ or hurt mileage? Anyone ran a 180 degree or less in one of these motors? results? Thanks again for the helpful info!!!!!!!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
It was the thermostat! Gage is ALOT more sensitive than I would have imagined. The 192-195 degree spec'd stat ran the gage up and down. It seemed too hot to me so I got a 160 (not hot enough and currnetly installed) and a 180. The 160 stat keeps the car right at the low end of the gage. I plan on trying the 180 here soon and imagine I will run that. The stock 192-195 runs that gage from what appears to be 165/170 up to 195 about 1/2 the travel or better of the gage. I never would have guessed a stock set up to run like that. I know manufacturers like to run thgeir cars hotter now for emissions and economy, but I think I will be more comfortable with the car running, smelling, and performing a little cooler! Anyone else changed to a 180 in these motors? Good, Bad? Better or worse mileage?
THANKS AGAIN for everyones help and advice. I feel like I turned a molehill into a mountain, but feel better now that the waterpump is flowing and hopefully the 180 stat may save a headgasket some hot summer day.
THANKS AGAIN for everyones help and advice. I feel like I turned a molehill into a mountain, but feel better now that the waterpump is flowing and hopefully the 180 stat may save a headgasket some hot summer day.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I would go back to the normal stat instead of the 180. It is just a matter of more efficient combustion. Is it critical? No, but it may extend the life of your engine, your converter, your milage and improve your emmissions somewhat.
I have been following this thread from the beginning and I thought it was a thermostat problem. The fact that it would go so far up and down and back up again threw me off because when they stick it is usually going to be open or closed.
So here is a thermostat tip from an old pro. Whenever you prepare to install a thermostat, exercise it. Hold the outside in your fingertips and open the gate with your thumbs. Even with a new stat you will sometimes feel it pop loose before it slides smoothly. If so you just saved yourself a problem. What you have is a thermostat with a somewhat unusual problem, but it appears that the spring pressure as it heats and cools is being temporarily overcome by friction. Get a new one just like it and work it with your thumbs. Then work the old one and I think you will be able to feel the difference.
I have been following this thread from the beginning and I thought it was a thermostat problem. The fact that it would go so far up and down and back up again threw me off because when they stick it is usually going to be open or closed.
So here is a thermostat tip from an old pro. Whenever you prepare to install a thermostat, exercise it. Hold the outside in your fingertips and open the gate with your thumbs. Even with a new stat you will sometimes feel it pop loose before it slides smoothly. If so you just saved yourself a problem. What you have is a thermostat with a somewhat unusual problem, but it appears that the spring pressure as it heats and cools is being temporarily overcome by friction. Get a new one just like it and work it with your thumbs. Then work the old one and I think you will be able to feel the difference.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
I have the 180 in today. I had been told about the "breaking in" by some former co-workers and traveled the stat before install. Ran the 160 and it was too cold. With the 180 my gage must sit at 170 for 30 sec. to a min. travels slowly up to 180 and drops back to 170. I am pretty happy seeing this along with the lessened travel of the gage, but still amazed how sensitive the gage is and at the varying. May go back to the 195, but am going to try this and see how mileage responds. THANKS AGAIN!!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Still amazed at that gage waving at me. 1/2 the travel of the gage is used with the 180 stat. Got a couple thousand miles on the car now and no problems other than the dancing gage. MPG is 22-23 just like with the 195 stat. Car just doesn't smell like it's burning up now. The stat's spring should face the engine side right? Not some reverse flow set up that takes coolant from top of radiator HOT and pushes into the motor or anything right?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
The 192-195 stat had two small by-pass holes in it. The 180 has none. Still getting drastic up and down out of gage. Becoming obivious that this is caused by a rapid opening and closing of the stat. Thinking of taking the 180 back out, "cycling" it a few more times by hand, and adding a small by pass hole similiar to that on the 195 stat in order to maintain a more steady temp. Anyone done such before?
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Originally Posted by Bdox
You should probably just replace it with the 195 stat. That is where the engine will be most efficient.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Originally Posted by chrono4
man, 12 pages and no fix? take it to ford.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
Two 3/16" holes was overkill for by-pass on the stat. Did run nice and steady temp., just too cold. Got carried away. I am thinking one 1/8" hole would get me what I am looking for. Even running around 140 degrees for 120 miles, mileage stayed right at 23 mpg mark. I was thinking it would have dropped at such a cold temp. Try again with smaller hole soon.