2000 3.5L Intrigue running cool

[dtownfb]

I noticed the past couple of days that my 2000 Intrigue (3.5L with 165k plus miles) has been running cool. It typically runs just under the 1/2 mark. Now it barely gets to the 1/4 mark. It has been cooler in the morning. There doesn't appear to be any driving issues. Is there any reason to be concerned?

I saw littlehoov's post on changing the thermostat and thought it might be time to do this. BTW where is the thermostat located?

The coolant was changed at 120k miles.

[LittleHoov]

Follow the hose the runs out of the front of the surge tank, it ends in the thermostat housing, the lower rad hose and heater hose also meet up there. The whole assembly must be replaced, I dont think you can just replace the stat.

On that note, it almost seems as if your stat is sticking open, has the car ever been run excessively hot in the past? Especially the near past?

It could also be a coolant temperature sensor, or even the instrument cluster itself acting up.

How hot does the engine seem to you? At operating temperature, most of the hoses should be quite uncomfortable to touch.

[dtownfb]

The car has never run hot. To the best of my knowledge, the thermostat has never been replaced. About the only thing that has been different on the instrument cluster is the outdoor temperature has been slow to read the correct temperature.

I'll check the hoses tomorrow.

Thanks