Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Thermostat fluctuations

[K5IP]

OK guys, I just changed the thermostat on my 95 to get rid of the "original thermostat fluctuation" problem. I got latest whiz-bang version of this unit from Dodge, and it did clear the fluctuations, but it runs much cooler than the original. The original maintained about 180 deg F when it wasn't bouncing around, but this one is just barely making the normal operating range mark (about 160 deg).

Has anyone else noticed this change or did I just get a bad stat? I am about ready to pull this one out.

Thanks, Rog

 

[SRadke]

I did the same thing in my 96 a couple years back. Third stat, the "new and improoved" they were right, it didn't fluxuate, just sat at 160° all the time. I still ran with my radiator blocked till the day I sold her.



-Scott

 

[K5IP]

Scott,

Three thermostats? So you changed it twice and still had the same results. Not what I wanted to hear. How long ago was that.

Rog

 

[Joe G.]

The fluctuations are normal because of the size of the cooling system. The only way to stop them is to restrict coolant flow. Do you really want that?

 

[SRadke]

Scott,

Three thermostats? So you changed it twice and still had the same results. Not what I wanted to hear. How long ago was that.

Rog

Original stat stuck open at 113k, replaced with Napa stat. Napa stat fluxuates really bad, replaced with Cummins' best around 140k, never warms up. I gave up, my cardboard worked really well. Sold the truck 3/03 @ 165k.



-Scott

 

[JNailor]

I changed out my original in the first month of ownership because it stuck open and wouldn't warm up. The replacement from Dodge dealer worked fine all these ten years, till last week when it fluctuated towing home from Dewey, DE. It rose and fell for 50 miles then went back to normal. I'll probably replace it when I do the coolant this year.

 

[Dr.Bob]

Just changed mine yesterday it's fluctuating, called Cummins they said it doesn't hurt a thing. It's better than running cold mine 165, they said if you run cold it creates more soot and that gets sucked into the valve guides and makes for more ware. Glad it's running at 180 now.

 

[bmoeller]

Wanna make it pretty much stop fluctuating in temp, put in some 370s.

 

[SRehberg]

I replaced my thermostat with the newer version when the gasket migrated into the thermostat opening holding it open. Talk about running cool. Now it runs in the 160* range as everyone elses does, but it is pretty steady.



bmoeller, I don't think this is the forum for political opinion, but I would take exception to the comment in another forum.

 

[bmoeller]

bmoeller, I don't think this is the forum for political opinion, but I would take exception to the comment in another forum.

No politicin' here. Mine pretty much quit goofing off when I put them in. Guess they add just enough extra heat to stop it. It's the only thing I can think of that would change things. Before they went in, the 180* t-stat moved more than the 190* stat I had in there before.