OK so my old radiator had a leak and i replaced it with a new radiator from autozone. Now the temp gauge in the dash shows the temps only getting up to about 150 and i have a 180 stat. Is it just because now the weather is like in the 50's or maybe something else. Is it bad for the car to run this low? thanks in advance.

 

sounds like your thermostat is stuck OPEN. not good to run like that cuz that's what the ol' ecm is gonna see and keep everything tuned for colder temps, as in run richer. not all that noticeable, but not the best thing for it. 180 stat OK, but i'd run with the 195. just my opinion, and that's what works for me (when my car is running) but when it is, the cooling system all works as advertised, with the only diff being a lower temp fan switch and high flow water pump.

 

i doubt its the termostat cause i just noticed it right after changing the radiator. the inlet line going to the termostat is really stiff too when running.

 

How warm do the hoses get? Our stock gauges aren't the most accurate things.

 

yes i realize the gauges aren't very accurate. But why would it all of the sudden change. It read at around 190 before i put the new radiator in.

 

Except the inlet (from the radiator) is the bottom hose...

Feel the upper hose as the engine warms up.

 

Old leaky possibly not full partially clogged radiator

Vs.

Brand new completely topped off and flushed radiator.

 

Yes but it should still warm up to thermostat temp right?

 

I would just throw a thermostat at it. There like 5 bucks. With all the sludge build up the old radiator might have had it may have slowed the coolant down like a thermostat.

 

quote:
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Originally posted by firebirdjosh
Old leaky possibly not full partially clogged radiator

Vs.

Brand new completely topped off and flushed radiator.
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Wheres the needle on your temp guage? If its between the 100* and 220* mark then no its not 160*, which will be the median of those 2 numbers. Everything on your car is doing exactley what its suppose to be just at a better efficency than what it use to be.