Does a thermostat have to "break in"?
I replaced my water neck due to a leak and just for preventative maintanance, I also changed out the thermostat. The one I took out was rated for 190* and the one I put in is rated at 180*. When I got it all back together and filled up I started the motor to check for leaks and found none. I let it warm up at idle and the temp guage went to 200* then back back down to 190*. Then it would fluctuate. I took it for a ride on the highway and it still stayed up over 190* almost to 200*. I came in shut if off and checked the water level. Naturally it was about 3 inches low in the radiator so I filled it to the top. Put the cap back on and the same thing. I let it idle with the cap on and the cap off just to see if that would make a difference and it still would run around 200* Why is this "cooler" thermostat making it run hotter?
I am going to let it completely cool and recheck the water level and restart it later. Oh, BTW I also bought a new 16# cap for it so after it cools I will put the old cap back on to see if maybe the new cap is defective.
I replaced my water neck due to a leak and just for preventative maintanance, I also changed out the thermostat. The one I took out was rated for 190* and the one I put in is rated at 180*. When I got it all back together and filled up I started the motor to check for leaks and found none. I let it warm up at idle and the temp guage went to 200* then back back down to 190*. Then it would fluctuate. I took it for a ride on the highway and it still stayed up over 190* almost to 200*. I came in shut if off and checked the water level. Naturally it was about 3 inches low in the radiator so I filled it to the top. Put the cap back on and the same thing. I let it idle with the cap on and the cap off just to see if that would make a difference and it still would run around 200* Why is this "cooler" thermostat making it run hotter?
I am going to let it completely cool and recheck the water level and restart it later. Oh, BTW I also bought a new 16# cap for it so after it cools I will put the old cap back on to see if maybe the new cap is defective.
