Re: Thermostat Question

From: bernd@texas.net
Date: Wed Nov 22 2000 - 10:37:56 EST


It's possible in extreme/cold areas (30 or below) since, while moving, the air
will be much colder and "Super Cools" the radiator. A colder t'stat "MAY"
cause your mileage to go down simply since a colder engine require a little bit
more fuel. But, in normal operating conditions (180 T'Stat = 185 degrees), you
shouldn't see any loss in economy (negligable if you do see something).

As for changing out the T'Stat on a service interval, that would vary on how
often you change the coolant, how dirty the coolant is, what brand of T'Stat
(cheapo-brands don't last very long), and the condition of your cooling system
(dirt, grime, corrostion in the cooling system). I change mine out every 30K
miles and have since i've owned liqued-cooled engines.

$0.02

- Bernd

> Ok......someone recently posted a 'winter and no heat' post on the DML,
> while I still have heat it doesnt seem as hot as it used to be. It still
> gets the truck warm, just think it used to be A LOT warmer. This may be a
> tsat related problem? How does the tstat control/influence how hot the heat
> gets inside my truck?
>
> Also, and someone sent me a private email says to check my tsat, which may
> cause my lower than normal gas mileage. How does the tstat affect gas
> mileage???
>
> I replaced my stock tstat at about 90,000 miles. Truck now has about 132,500
> on it. How long should a tstat last for?????? I drain the radiator every
> year and flush the system every other year. New radiator cap every other
> year also. Any ideas.......
> Kyle
> 93 Dakota 4x4 V6
>
>
>



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