quest about engine temp

[geldartb]

ok anyone with a 3100 when you drive around in temps between 30-50 how far up does your temp gauge go up mine doesnt even hit 1/4 but i still got heat and dont smell antifreeze. also would putting cardboard infront of my radiator be harmful in anyway cause i do know it makes it stay warmer than without it tryed it once for 5 minutes. could this be a coolant issue or a heater core problem where its running cool. even idling for 20 minutes the temp didnt even hit 1/4 but it was cold that night though. summertime too the most it went up was halfway then the fan kicked on this was in city driving dont do much of that. any help is appreciated

[korbendallas68]

Sounds like the thermostat.

[geoffinbc]

Yea I agree. It should operate just a bit below half way.

[geldartb]

damn guess its time to change that before it goes when its really col or im far away from home. might as well do a flush while im at it too get all the crap out of there. had the cardboard in fronnt of the ac condensor brought it up to a quarter on light driving for the cruise around 40-50 just below a quarter.

[geldartb]

would anyone possibly have the part number for the 180 tstat for the 95 3100 and should i replace the coolant temp sensor while im at it

[acascianelli]

mine does the exact same thing, barely heats up to the 1/4 way mark. my guess is its the thermostat stuck open. ive been planning on changing it for a while but i dont know how to get the thermostat housing off cause the bottom bolt is in a hard place to get to. look at yours and youll see what im talking about, i really dont want to try to remove my crossover pipe to change it. some people say if you remove the TB it is accessible but i guess i will find out this weekend.

[geldartb]

thats part of the reason why i havent done it. ive been saying i need to change the thermostat since last january but it hasnt given me any problems so i left it alone. im all set with takeing the crossover pipe off ill try the throttle body way and let you know how it works out. ill be doing it either tonight or tomorow morning.

[geoffinbc]

You dont need to take the crossover off. You just need an open end wrench and take your time. Did the same thing to my moms 1994 3100 and it took about 1 hour.

[geldartb]

i was trying to find a way to do it without removing that thos bolts for the crossover are probably rusted to hell. i took a peek at the junkyard while i was there and you are right with the open ended wrench i did seem easy a pain but easy. got all the stuff gonna give it a try tomorow

[korbendallas68]

24507563

That's the part number for the thermostat.