THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 When I leave town, hit the highway (going like 55mph) the needle doesn't even go past 1/4. When I get into the City traffic, it goes up past half (normal). I know the 3.1 in our van and the 2.8 in my 88 would normally be around or little past 1/4 with a new t-stat and coolant. I recently flushed my rad and have new Prestone (50/50mix)... I should change my t-stat I'm thinking.... I haven't changed one on a 3100 before any quick tips? (I haven't really done anything under the hood yet). What do all your guys 3100s run at normally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan94Z34 Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 well the thermostat opens up at 195. and the cooling fans turn on at 220 i believe. any where between 195 and 220 depending on how hot the day is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 your T-stat might be stuck open....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 Sounds like normal operating temps to me. I wouldn't start worrying until you start hitting the red zone on the temp gauge. The fans should kick on (assuming you aren't running the AC) when the needle nudges past half way on the gauge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supreme_style21 Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 Mine runs just under the red when sitting in traffic. Always has. Always will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannymik Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 the Cutlass ran at about 210 normally, but reached as high as 230 in traffic on hot days...I thought the fans kicked on at 227*(they did on my 3100 that is). I wouldnt get concerned over it unless you see steam coming from under the hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Its not getting hot... in the city it warms up but overheating is not the problem. IF there is a problem its that its running too cool. Tomorrow I will cuss, throw tools, and hopefully get the thermostat changed (I think it might be stuck open). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannymik Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Its not getting hot... in the city it warms up but overheating is not the problem. IF there is a problem its that its running too cool. Tomorrow I will cuss, throw tools, and hopefully get the thermostat changed (I think it might be stuck open). beware cbad, I heard changing the TSTAT on the 3100 isnt a 10 minute job like on the 3.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 i have the same problem. my thermostat was fine. it's a known problem that they run hot in stop & go. Just make sure you have enough coolant in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl3196 Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 T-stat isn't too bad. I did it without removing the throttle body. Just takes a lot of little turns with a wrench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Well I replaced the thermostat and its running proper temperature now. First I started the car and opened up the bleed screw on the t-stat housing.. coolant came out so I knew that the t-stat was stuck open. I looked at the 2 bolts on the t-stat housing again.. and decided to remove the throttlebody. After removing the TB it took me 2 min to change the t-stat. I am glad I took off the TB cause those bolts were on there pretty tight, and I'm sure I would have just stripped the bolts if I tried with the TB on.. Anyways it now runs little past 1/4 on the guage on the highway (60*C or 140*F) when I was driving around town it went up to about half on the guage (100*C or about 220*F I think it was) and a little higher if I just sat on the spot for a while.... so its running good now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryptnix Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 i don't mean to be an asshole but ... have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supreme_style21 Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 i don't mean to be an asshole but ... have fun! :?: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryptnix Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 changing the thermostat ... but 'eh forget about it :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 What the hell are you talking about? I already changed it in the morning and then posted what I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 C-Bad......did you try pushing the old one in after you took it out? If it was sticking, when you push it, it should be feel rough and not smooth and may actually stick at one position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 C-Bad......did you try pushing the old one in after you took it out? If it was sticking, when you push it, it should be feel rough and not smooth and may actually stick at one position Yeah the old one was stuck open. I know this cause when I started the COLD engine I immediatly opened the bleeder screw and coolant came out (shouldn't have happened if the t-stat was closed like it should have been). When I took the housing off coolant was coming through as well.. it was in pretty nasty condition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Looks like I win again..... your T-stat might be stuck open....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 i think mine may stick every now and then, but i did a the reccomended test on the hoses (temp) and whatnot and it was working. :?: I dunno maybe I should do mine too at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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