Question : Thermostat on Cutlass 3.1

[3.1Cutty]

Hey guys , So my thermostat is starting to stick and needs replaced , my question is what is the stock temp that the 3.1 should run at? Mine barely reaches 60C , my other cutlass had the same problem but when I replaced it it ran at about 70C , thats still pretty cold isnt it? Coolant level is good , not leaking (yet ) Any thoughts?

[3.1Cutty]

I just did some calculations and WOW my old car hardly reached 125F with the new stat. My new cutlass doesnt even touch 120F. Is it even possible to get a 120F stat? That seems awfull cold. Im up in Canada so its all Celeius up here. The car should run at 90C with a 195f stat. IT barely even reaches the 2nd big line on the guage. First on is 45C 2nd will be around 50C just about the middle is 90C. Im so cunfuesed

[robertisaar]

the dash guage isn't always 100% accurate, it's best to have some type of scantool to see what the 2 wire coolant temp sensor says, not the 1 wire.

and it's possible that your stat is stuck WAY open, or gone entirely...

[3.1Cutty]

Okay , I will be sure to check. I have a coolant temp guage with sensor also that I was thinking of hooking up to the top rad hose to measure temp comming from the block. Either way I know I need a new stat cause the temp the car runs at changes with how cold it is outside Thanks Robert!!!

[robertisaar]

i would just save the time and get a new 195 stat... they're only a couple bucks around here and don't take that long to install.

[3.1Cutty]

Yea < i know I need a new one anyway. But a temp guage thats accurate would be cool to have

[60dgrzbelow0]

Check out that 13mm VeeDub Elbow Carburetor wrench... Thought this was a useful video on the Thermostat Repair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgLWR1dCXRM&feature=fvsr