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Originally Posted by jsgold
Would replace the stat too, sounds like it is stuck "open" possibly from having some unwanted junk in the system. Mine did athat and ran at 160-180 degrees(too cool) The stat should be where the top radiator hose connects to the block. Remove the two bolts and pull the hose and metal cover off. Clean the area and replace. Pick up a Haynes manual for 12-15 bucks at Advance to guide you through it. Not a hard procedure. The only problem is what to do with the used anti freeze. In our area we have no way to dispose of used anti freeze without paying someone to take it.
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I agree, sounds like a stuck stat. It's pretty common most of us have had to replace them. Your temperature should be one line left of 210. When mine was stuck open the temp ran right between 100 and 210 as you describe. If your antifreeze is good (less than 3 years old and clear) you can reuse it. Just drain about a gallon of antifreeze out through the drain on the passanger side of the radiator (Turn it 1/4 turn then pull straight out). This will prevent you from losing most of it when you change the stat. As jsgold stated, the thermostat is in the housing where the upper radiator hose enters the top of the engine. Replace it with a stock 192/195 thermostat.
If your antifreeze is bad (old, thick, brown or sludgy) you will need to flush your system before replacing the stat. Here's the flushing procedure that I recommend:
For normal maintenance:
Buy the following:
2 gallons of distilled water $1
2 gallons of antifreeze $20
Prestone Flush 'N Fill kit $3
Prestone Radiator "Flush" $3
Turn your heater on and leave it on for the entire process
Drain the antifreeze from the system.
Install the "T" from the Flush 'N Fill kit and follow the directions that came with it.
Disconnect the water hose, close all the drains, add the Prestone Flush, fill with water, get engine up to operating temperature and run for 20 minutes, allow to cool then, drain the system.
Connect your water hose to the Flush 'N Fill "T" and flush one more time. Drain.
Fill the system with a 50/50 mix* of antifreeze and distilled water. Continue to fill the system over the next few days as the air is worked out of the system.
For clogged, neglicted, or extremely dirty systems:
Buy the following:
2 gallons of distilled water $1
2 gallons of antifreeze $20
Prestone Flush 'N Fill kit $3
Prestone Radiator "cleaner" not "flush" $4
Turn your heater on and leave it on for the entire process
Drain the antifreeze from the system.
Install the "T" from the Flush 'N Fill kit and follow the directions that came with it.
Disconnect the water hose, close all the drains, add the Prestone Cleaner, fill with water, run the engine 3-6 hours (you can leave it in for a few days if neccessary), drain the system.
Connect your water hose to the Flush 'N Fill "T" and flush one more time. Drain.
Fill the system with a 50/50 mix* of antifreeze and distilled water. Continue to fill the system over the next few days as the air is worked out of the system.
*When you do your final drain and fill....not all the water will come out so to get the proper 50/50 mix you should add the right amount of straight antifreeze then top off with the distilled water.