Caravan Thermostat Question.

You don't.

Install the part that is designed for the vehicle. 195 degree.

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

As cars get older and their cooling systems become less efficient (radiator primarily), people may have a better sense of security by putting a lower temp thermostat in. It may be of benefit in some vehicles (like in normal operation if the thermostat partially opens and modulates to control engine temperature after warmup). It may in some cases actually help compensate. But if it's not needed, you could be making the engine run less efficiently, especially if it never gets out of open loop warmup mode. It might be considered by some to be a bandaid for a problem that needs to be fixed.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

I imagine it is there to help compennsate for different operating conditions.

When I used to live on the prairies, the owners manual for may car said that 10W30 was the recommended oil. However, if you read the fine print, that was based on "normal" driving conditions! In about November the outside temp used to go below freezing, and not long after that was going negative (as in -20 to -30) and staying that way until April! Under THOSE conditions, the manual recommended 5W30.

So if I had to guess, I would say that the 180 degree thermostat is probably available for people who commonly live and drive in hotter climate conditions like the Arizona Desert in the summertime. Under those conditions, the engine operating at a lower temperature could extend its life and even prevent "boil overs".

You could always call and ask DC or Stant, but my guess is that the

Wrong. If the cooling system is in proper condition, running a 180° stat, even out in the low desert where temperatures routinely top

I run a 195° thermostat in my 318 and never have overheating trouble...even with the single row core radiator. This myth comes from the olden days when people used to run alcohol-based antifreeze...running a 160° stat in those days would prevent "boil off" of the alcohol. Anything below 180° on most engine designs also increases piston/ring wear, as Continental found out in a long term study done many years ago.

Thanks for all your comments. Guess I will be going with the 195 degree thermostat. The "Mommy Car" sure has not see that temperature for several months. And it will be nice to have some heat in the van :-)

Dan

well dont be surprised when you finally remove it and find it to come out in peices, and make sure you get out all parts if this is the case.

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Thanks Glenn, You are very RIGHT kind sir. I took it out only to find that the thermostat was broken on one side and bent out. It did not look like it had lost any of the parts from the unit. The replacement - a Stant - went in and seems to be working just fine. Although the Stant thermostat looks a little different from the OEM, with an opening a little smaller than the original. The main thing is the engine warms up within 5 - 10 minutes. Good thing..... winter is on it's way to Motown :-)

Dan

Happy Motoring

A big thumbs up for Glen!!

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')