ace

Hey guys. I'm replacing the thermostat in my 96 Cherokee as part of a water pump replacement. I know the 195* t-stat is stock, but I've heard guys say that a 180* t-stat actually helps in hotter climates. I'm in Tampa, FL, and it's freakin hot. I don't really even understand the differences in the temp ratings on t-stats... why would a 180* serve me better than a stock 195*? Can someone educate a novice please? Thanks!

1991Jeep_Man

A 180* thermostat is just going to open and allow coolant to circulate sooner, which in theory should keep the engine cooler. If you were running a 193* t-stat and you have overheating issues, running a 180 couldn't hurt.

ace

"If not for the forum, my XJ would be a KO"

Same here bro! Thanks for your advice.

djb383

The t-stat only controls minimum temps. This time of year in Florida, either a 180F or 195F t-stat will likely be wide open after a short bit of driving, especially if running a/c.

PolarXJ

The two things that will help the most to help keep the engine running at the proper temps is a 3 core radiator and getting rid of the hot air in the engine bay with either hood vends or raising the back portion of the hood. The latter also helps with the heat on your legs.

88chief

Down here in Fort Myers, Fl I run 195 thermostat and don't have any cool issuse.

kbad

hey Ace.... i'm running a high performance hesco water pump and a 190 degree thermostat on mine for a few years now in avg 95-105 deg F summer temps and down to freezing (yes, we've had freezing and snow here in north tx!) and have had no issues - i've also replaced the rad with a new two-row copper core (i don't tow or 4 wheel, so no need for three-row), the rad hoses with hi pressure silicone ones and make sure to flush/fill with 50/50 fluid twice a year.... next, planning on removing the stock mechanical and electric fans and replacing with dual electric 3000+cfm fans ....perhaps this one.... http://www.ffdynamics.com/cherokeeB.html

Weou09

From my experience with cooler stats is they actually over heat worse because they cycle the coolant to fast for the heat to dissipate.

96_xj

That is a myth.


The longer it sits cooling in the radiator the long the HOT coolant sits in the engine-getting hotter.


You want it to cycle as fast as you can while getting it as cool as you can. That is why the 2 and 3 row radiators help. They allow for very fast movement of the coolant but allow it to be in the radiator long enough to cool since it has to travel longer distances thru the radiator.

there would be no harm no foul to put in a 180* infact i am going to pick one up this afternoon. I dont have overheating issues and i have a factory replacement rad and 195* stat. But it gets a little warm on the freeway hills. and it is 110-117* out side here

kbad

with a lower temp thermo, you're getting the system to kick in sooner....that is better for the engine longevity, if anything.... cooling starts sooner, now just let it pass more volume, therefore....also, change out the stock water pump with one that can push more volume utilizing a better designed/quality impeller and housing.... like this one.... http://www.hesco.us/shop.asp?action=...086&catId=7967 ...and don't forget a new thermostat housing for increased volume/flow.... http://www.hesco.us/shop.asp?action=...D=43007&catId= ...and while at it, test your temp sensor to make sure it functions properly and all hoses for leaks, etc.

Gravy

with a 180* it will run a little richer until it warms up. I saw a small decrease in gas mileage but the benefit of lower engine temps outweighed that.

rich

Yup you can put a 180 a 160 tstat in it,Is it any good for them NOOOOOOOOOO its not, emmisions suffer fuel milage sensors etc.A 195 tstat is what it came with from the factory hmmmmmm from the factory ???? Try some nighttime reading guys I hate to say this but it looks like your talking out your azz cause your mouth knows better. Just try reading up on it in real books and not hear say.

Metlic53

I run a 160 T-Stat. Its not going to run rich, mine does not, the o2 sensor is what keeps the engine in open and closed loop not how hot the motor runs. o2 sensor located in exhaust pipe, gets hot fast. i could run the engine with a 100 t-stat and it wouldn't effect my gas mileage one bit. I've tried. Cooler = longer life, heat kills everything.

4x4utahcherokee

so I don't know if this was a dumb move by me but when I was 16 I didn't know a whole lot about cars at the time and had a 90 xj. I was having overheating issues and a friend of my older brother (owned a cj7) said he never runs a thermostat during the summer. So i pulled mine out and never had any problems after that. Never threw codes never overheated and ran around 185-190 at all times. I don't see the harm in not having one in during the summer months. i haven't had the guts to do it in my 97 cause i've notice the obd2's are picky as hell but just thought I'd tell you guys my personal experience. If you do pull it out don't forget to put one in come winter time though. Now all you glorified mechanics bring it on and tell me how stupid i was lol. just kiddin IMO the thermostat just doesn't matter that much in the summer I did it for three years and my jeep ran great. It did take about 30 seconds longer to warm up though.

96_xj

It came from the factory because running the engine hotter was better for the enviro stuff back then. EVERYONE ran the 195*'s back then. Now everyone runs 180*'s from the factory(even chrysler) because they know the benefit of having a lower engine temp in the long run.

I have read up. So please show me else where that i am wrong.

You want the coolant to move as fast as you can thru the block as cold as you can get it. If you have a 3 row radiator and a 180* with highflow this and highflow that then you are going to be running the extrememly low engine temps provided you have the right mixture of coolant. The reason being that the coolant sits in the rad chanmbers longer and the engine block shorter. So you are drawing the heat from the engine block away with more fluid that is entering the block cooler. Therefore keeping your engine temp down.

There is nothing wrong with putting a 180* even with a stock system You are controlling when the cooling system starts to operate.


I do have to say that a 160* is probably a bad choice unless your running the set up i listed above...