Those of you with Low Temp Thermostats

[Perfectlap]

Have you like me, noticed that temp always seems to stay ver near the 180 hash mark? Even after a long drive. With the old t-stat it was always in the middle or edging towards the next hash mark.

Granted some our mechanics on the forum have pointed how inaccurate the dash gauges are in general. But this does get me thinking whether running an old coolant cap, that presumably is not keeping pressure as well as the new cap, can somehow prevent the coolant from doing its job, resulting in a hotter running engine.

Or perhaps the combination of an updated cap and low temp t-stat provides a significantly better performing coolant system?

[spongebob]

As you are running a MY 2000 Boxster you can always use the AC hack to show the engine temp in Celcius, by that you will be in control of what is going on in the cooling system. Mine never exceeds 90 C if I have the AC fans running and stays around 83 on the highway. I do not trust the info given by the temp needle

[AKnowles]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Have you like me, noticed that temp always seems to stay ver near the 180 hash mark? Even after a long drive. With the old t-stat it was always in the middle or edging towards the next hash mark.

Either you are in a very cold area or you are not pushing it enough. In 60~70 temperatures I have noticed that behavior. So long as I kept the engine under 4000 RPM. Above that, it'll move up. My morning ride 80 degrees) and it was just back of the 8. In the afternoon temps (100+) I'm in the middle to the back of the 0.

[Mark_T]

If I understand thermostats correctly, the temperature rating of a thermostat refers to the temp at which it opens only and should have no bearing on the operating temp of a fully warmed up car as any thermostat should be fully open at that point.

[southernstar]

How right you are Mark.

Brad

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

If I understand thermostats correctly, the temperature rating of a thermostat refers to the temp at which it opens only and should have no bearing on the operating temp of a fully warmed up car as any thermostat should be fully open at that point.

So why is there a very small increase in output with a low temp t-stat? I believe this claim is made on LNE's website. I may be nuts but I definitely feel a difference, albeit marginal.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

Either you are in a very cold area or you are not pushing it enough. In 60~70 temperatures I have noticed that behavior. So long as I kept the engine under 4000 RPM. Above that, it'll move up. My morning ride 80 degrees) and it was just back of the 8. In the afternoon temps (100+) I'm in the middle to the back of the 0.

The ambient temp has been about 80 lately. But in the past the same below 4K RPM driving definitely resulted in the needle tilting closer to the next hash mark. If this was a one off I wouldn't have thought much of it. But post t-stat I don't ever recall the temps tilting left this consistently. And like I said in the other post its peppier.

[AKnowles]

Hmm, atmospherics? I mean cooler moister air possibly? If so, that would assist the cooling system efficiency plus provide some improved engine performance.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

Hmm, atmospherics? I mean cooler moister air possibly? If so, that would assist the cooling system efficiency plus provide some improved engine performance.

hmm...it's definitely been raining more for an August.

[runjmc2]

Not withstanding the many theoretical debates on whether a 160 will result in lower "steady state" (after full warm up) temperatures than the stock, I believe it has been reliably reported that IN FACT (e.g. based on testing) the 160 DOES result in lower operating temperatures, both coolant and oil.

[thom4782]

In my case, I find that with the AC on my temperature needle now points consistently left of the 180 hash mark whereas before it pointed to the middle of the 8. This must mean that airflow over the radiators helped by the low speed fans keeps the coolant at a lower temperature than before. This makes sense because A low temperature thermostat allow the coolant circulation to start at a lower temperature.

[Paul]

The thermostat controls the amount of cooled coolant entering the motor:

[madmods]

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[madmods]

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[Steve Tinker]

madmods, I'm sorry to tell you that you are so full of crap that its coming out of your ears - you obviously know more than the combined experience of all those who contribute to this Forum.....
Please use the search function and read up on this subject and make a valuable contribution - you are quickly dropping into the troll syndrome....

[madmods]

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[Van914]

How do you do the "AC Hack"?
Thanks
Van

[southernstar]

I am prepared to accept the experience of perfectlap and others who have the LN thermostat. I suppose if the thermostat opens at a lower temperature and the cooling system is able to maintain that temperature in operating conditions, then it will be lower. At a certain point in stop and go traffic, however, the temperature is apt to rise regardless - however, the car with the lower initial coolant temperature should still remain lower until both cars reach the maximum capability of the system.

Brad

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by runjmc2

Not withstanding the many theoretical debates on whether a 160 will result in lower "steady state" (after full warm up) temperatures than the stock, I believe it has been reliably reported that IN FACT (e.g. based on testing) the 160 DOES result in lower operating temperatures, both coolant and oil.

I have found these same results too. The 160 degree thermostat DOES seem to lower the coolant temps. While the temps may rise in traffic, with spirited driving and while running the A/C on a hot day….it never seems to get AS HOT as before the Low Temp Thermostat was installed….Lower temps DO = more HP - now IF only the REST of the care was built as well as the thermostat!

[Perfectlap]

question: does much more frequent expansion and contraction not have some unintended consequences to the engine itself?