So I switched my t-stat from the factory 195 to a 180 last summer since I was having over heating problems. And now that it's winter I feel as if it is too cold since the temp. only reaches a little past the first tick and not the normal operating temp. of 210.. So is this really all that bad? My gas milage is around 10-11 mpg with a 3" lift on 32's..

 

You might have a shop hit it with one of those thermal watchumacallits. Then you would know if it's your gauge or your thermostat. Both the 195* and the 180* thermostat will be fully open before it overheats. Since it's so easy, you might want to check/clean the connection on your gauge sensor there on the rear of the head. A bad connection there could cause it read low. If you ground that wire the gauge should go all the way up.

 

^^X2.......and with a properly functioning 180F t-stat the needle should be just south of the middle.

 

coulllldddd you maybe post a picture of where I should clean? Cause are you talking about the gauge in the dash or where it reads from the block/coolant, because i have no clue where that is.. thanks for the input as well!

 

From your picture I'd guess that it's running at around 165-180ish..

 

We run a 180 t-stat also.....ScanGauge indicates +/-180-195 this time of year, depending on ambient, heater use, vehicle speed, etc..

 

Mine always stays here with the 195* t-stat.

 

That's were it should be. I'm thinking it may be a combo of how it is coldish when I drive it (around 7 in the morning at around +/- 34*) and how I'm only driving it 3 miles to school, so it doesn't have enough time to reach the optimum temp. When I did swap it back in summer it was running at 210 no problem.. soooo i think I'm just getting a little paranoid and it's actually no big deal..

 

Does it really (actually) run 210+ with a 195 t-stat, this time of year (cold ambient)?

 

OP;
Mine doesn't warm much at all in three miles. ( first 3 is down hill), then at 10 miles in about 15 min's it starts heating a bit. I think your gauge sensor is at the back corner of the head on the drivers side. My connector pushes down on a threaded stud. You could just wiggle it or pull it off and stick it back on to rule out a low reading being the connection. And like I said, if you ground it to the head or something the gauge should go all the way up.

 

Stays right there winter and summer.

 

Factorys does a good job of "rigging" temp gauges.

 

I'd verify. Get an infrared point and shoot thermometer (widely available and inexpensive now) and point it directly at the thermostat housing of a fully hot engine. That will get you very close to the actual temperature of the coolant.

Good data = good decisions

There can be some inaccuracy between the sending unit and the dash gauge.

 

My gauge reads 210, but the scan tool tells me it's at 196.

 

Bingo. Have u used the scan tool in both August and January?