Thermostat temp?

[nandalora]

Are the T-stats on the 2.5L and 3.0L engines set to the same temp? Either way what are the factory settings? Also, I'm over heating sometimes (>200F) what degree T-stat should I get to solve this?

Thanks,
Nick

[jrak123]

Maybe you should just put the 2.5 back in I don't think you can handle the power of the 3.0! :shrug: You should PM Puck Puck about the fan controller he installed it took care of all his problems.

[PuckPuck]

Any mustang 4.6L t-stat will work... so that's like 2000-2004 mustang.... i put a 160* t-stat in my car....

I also bought a Derale Engine Fan Controller module, which allows you to control the fan to turn on at a specific temp....

I can't remember the part number but i did post all the info in this folder somewhere

[PuckPuck]

oh yeah and i have my controller set to turn on at 190* and it works like a charm

[nandalora]

Is the degree of the Mustang T-stat? I just called the dealer and for the GT (4.6L SOHC) it's a 192 degree.....that doesn't help me. Where can I get a 160? Do you even think such a lower degree T-stat helps or is it more dependant on fan turn on? I would think that a 160 T-stat could almost be bad, cause it wouldn't let the engine get up to optimal temp, or the coolant would get too hot from being in the engine for so long since the valve is opened sooner?

Thanks,
Nick

[Massiv]

Originally posted by: nandalora
Is the degree of the Mustang T-stat? I just called the dealer and for the GT (4.6L SOHC) it's a 192 degree.....that doesn't help me. Where can I get a 160? Do you even think such a lower degree T-stat helps or is it more dependant on fan turn on? I would think that a 160 T-stat could almost be bad, cause it wouldn't let the engine get up to optimal temp, or the coolant would get too hot from being in the engine for so long since the valve is opened sooner?

Thanks,
Nick


Bah... A 160 is not bad -- and it does let it get up to temp. In spring / summer / fall, you'll still be running well above 160 most of the time. You want a 160-degree T-stat for a 4.6L Stang (is what Puck was saying). You can find one at PartsAmerica.com. Search this forum for Stant, and you will find part numbers. It's super cheap. Easiest / fastest method: walk into your local auto parts store, and order a 160-degree T-stat for your 2000 Stang GT 4.6L. Done and done.

Finally, if you want to bring your coolant temps down, do the following:
-Put your water:coolant ratio closer to 70:30 (Water is a better heat conductor)
-Dump in some Redline Water Wetter
-Remove the plastic shroud thing that sits near the hood latch mechanism
-Change your front bumper for more airflow onto the rad (Aerogear extreme, for example)

Massiv.

[Blackcoog]

Your not overheating. Your fans don't even kick in until ~213F. Your overheating if your going over ~225F

[nandalora]

Originally posted by: Blackcoog
Your not overheating. Your fans don't even kick in until ~213F. Your overheating if your going over ~225F

The computer starts pulling timing at 200F, so I consider that over heating. Also the simple fact that my engine shouldn't be getting that hot.... that's overheating.

Thanks,
Nick

[PuckPuck]

buy your t-stat from a parts store... not the dealer... you'll need an aftermarket one....

mind you however once the temp gets up, the lower t-stat doesn't do anything to keep it down... so you'll still need to turn the fans on ealier, or get a better radiator.... or both....

[DemonSVT]

Originally posted by: PuckPuck
mind you however once the temp gets up, the lower t-stat doesn't do anything to keep it down... so you'll still need to turn the fans on earlier, or get a better radiator.... or both....
DING DING DING!!!

Great answer!

The thermostat only controls the MINIMUM temperature of the engine. It has nothing to do with controlling the maximum temperature or keeping the operating temperature lower if the cooling system can't cool the setup anyway.

Hybrids run very hot by nature. That's another big negative to a hybrid. The high compression significantly raises both the normal operating temperature and also the high load operation to the extreme.

Like Puck said you need an optimum cooling setup to start with. (70/30 water/OAT with water wetter, SVT radiator, & custom chip or fan override - chip's better by far for numerous reasons)

BTW - The white impeller pump is the most efficient. The metal pump is the least efficient but the most reliable. It also robs the most power as well. I run a white impeller pump myself.

[nandalora]

Yea, I've done everything listed except the fan turn on change, so I;d beter do that. I have an SVT radiator, better coolant/water mix, water wetter, and now a Hypertec 160* T-stat and removed that plastic piece infront of the rad. I was just driving and everything seems good until I slow down or stop and sit, this is when temps get up to and past 219*. I'm sure they would've gone even higher if I let it sit longer and it was more than 80* out.

So I'll get my chip reflashed to have the fans turn on at.........190*???

Thanks,
Nick

[mond12345]

I don't know about the cruising temp of a 3.0L but my 2.5 when im cruising at 70-75 mph stays at 194* - 196* so with u at 190* even when u are driving at 70 mph the fans would be running!

[Blackcoog]

The computer starts pulling timing at 200F, so I consider that over heating. Also the simple fact that my engine shouldn't be getting that hot.... that's overheating.

The stock Duratecs run that hot anyway though. Unless you have a bigger radiator custom made you won't see much change. You can change the fan temps all you want but you'll just be running your fans non stop. I dropped a lower T-stat in my wifes car and had the fans kick in at 190 with a SCT chip and they run pretty much non stop. A little annoying to say the least.

[PuckPuck]

Originally posted by: mond12345
I don't know about the cruising temp of a 3.0L but my 2.5 when im cruising at 70-75 mph stays at 194* - 196* so with u at 190* even when u are driving at 70 mph the fans would be running!

Funny... my fans turn on at 190* and they don't run non-stop....

you gotta remember fans turn on at a given temp and turn off at a lower temp... mine are 190* on and 180* off.... also once you get going on the highway, the air rushing in, is far greater than any fan can produce.... at highway i run 176-178* on cool days and 180-182* on hot days.....

stop and go driving, yes the fans are coming on and off, but it's not much different than if it was stock... only real diff now is that my engine is running 10-15* cooler than stock.....

[mond12345]

Thats good. Thats why i said i didnt know about the 3L but i know about the temps of my 2.5L. Just trying to help.

[DemonSVT]

It sure sounds like there are a lot of bad/hot running Duratecs out there.

I never had any issues with my car running hot (210-220) unless I was in stop & go traffic in hot summer heat. Which is of course no shock.

Even with the stock programming and T-stat my engine would rarely go above 200 degrees in spirited driving.
In normal driving it always stayed right around the t-stat range. (192-194)

Now of course my car never runs hot. :cool: It never breaks 200 and is normally in the 180's.