My temp. gauge has been riding at 220 for a long while now, I know 220 is a bit high and it should be a lot lower. I just recently replaced the intake manifold because it was leaking like a stuck pig, but I also am pretty sure the water pump is leaking also. Now that it has warmed up outside significantly, it seems as though it's holding fluids much much better. My question is, should I try to bring my temp. down from 220? Could the possible water pump leak be causing the higher temps? Other then replacing the water pump, what other fixes could I do to bring down the temp.?

 

OK let me try & help. What makes you suspect that the water pump is leaking? Are you getting drips coming out of the weep hole? Also, did you check to see if you fan is working properly? Air dam still under the car? There are actually a lot of factors to look at. Just let me know & I'll try & help more. Also, my car rides up to 220 & sometimes a little past it before the fan kicks on. Then it rides at 220 & only lower if I'm driving & not idling. Our cars love to run hot in stock form.

 

I know the fan is working properly, because I hear it come on when I sit in the parking lot before school. I don't think anything else is wrong with the cooling system other then the water pump, because it loses antifreeze. The manifold and all the hoses were just replaced. I just want to bring the temperature down on the motor, the other day it was very cold out for some odd reason, and it seemed as though my motor was breathin so much easier.

 

The cars are designed to run at about 220. It's not good for performance, but it makes the tree huggers happy

Hotter engine=lower emissions in most cases.

Throw a 170-180 stat in, and get a lower temp fan switch. Your car will be much happier. Keep in mind though, the oil temp must maintain at least about 160 deg, and remain under about 230. If it extends out of that range, the oil cannot lubricate properly and the wear rate on the bearings will increase by ALOT.

 

yes but they longer they stay happy, the longer we still get to drive our cars

 

lol, I didn't think about it that way

I guess I shouldn't tell them that I pulled all my SMOG equip. and the cat off, and my car runs consistantly at about 180 deg (working on getting a pair of hi flow cats, gotta get my long tubes fitted up first and see where I have room)

 

So I should get a lower thermostat? Where would I acquire the lower temp. switch?

 

I have a 160 stat in my car, and I wired a fan switch in my car. Which really comes in handy! I keep it at 180 when cruising around, and about 160 when I'm at the track.