Adam,
A thermostat stuck in the open position is NOT a thermostat. I'd replace it.
The lifespan of your engine to a large degree depends on consistency of running
temperature. You need a thermostat that opens and closes and tries to maintain
a consistent temp. All those parts expanding to about the same size each
warm-up and run etc. I think you'd trip the MIL this coming winter if you
didn't fix it when it is colder out. You might have problems passing emissions
with the engine that cold also.
But these are just educated guess-stimates. As far as I know these things
aren't a big problem for you.
I am getting a bit concerned about the number of failures reported on the
Robert Shaw thermos. I picked one up the other day but am beginning to wonder
if I want to deal with having to replace it again if and when it fails so soon.
Marty
Adam H wrote:
> A week or two ago I changed out the factory 195 degree thermostat for a 180
> degree Robert Shaw one. Worked fine for a while and then stuck in the open
> position. It tripped the MIL, so I reset it a week ago and it hasn't
> tripped since. The engine runs at about 130 - 160 degrees now and seems to
> be running good. Is this alright for the engine to run that cool as long as
> it doesn't trip any malfunction indicators, or should it really be running
> warmer than this.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Adam H
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