Mazda 6 Thermostat question

[carguy996]

I have a 2006 Mazda 6 with the 3.0 Ford Duratec engine. I have had intermittent issues with the engine temperature running warmer than usual. I have a scangauge and the coolant temp usually levels off at 192 and only goes over that in the summer. Here recently it will go as high as 202 before working its way back down, sounds like the stat is a little sticky. I went to replace it and the stat says 188 degrees on it. The Superstat from Advance Auto parts advised a 195 operating temperature is what the car specs for. Is going above the factory stat of 188 adviseable and go with a 195 or should I go with the OEM? The OEM is very thin and flimsy looking, the superstat looks to be much higher quality. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Bluestream]

Your answer may lie here: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...879#Post2103879

 

[carguy996]

That was my original post back in December. I replaced the stat with an OEM unit, made it just fine through the winter and now am back to having issues again with the new thermostat. I am more concerned about the build quality of the OEM unit verses the stant superstat, the stant is much thicker in appearance. I just dont know about the temp difference, Mazda (Ford) specs 188 for a reason im sure but I dont know why the so called OEM thermostat every where else shows a 195 recommendation. The local dealer was absolutely no help on this one, my mechanic recommended a 195.

 

[Hokiefyd]

202*F is plenty fine. I'll bet your radiator fans don't even kick in until well past that. Especially on T-FWD powertrains with no mechanical fan, engine coolant temperatures can be all over the place unless driven at a steady speed or the electric fans are on for some reason (A/C use, etc).

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
202*F is plenty fine. I'll bet your radiator fans don't even kick in until well past that. Especially on T-FWD powertrains with no mechanical fan, engine coolant temperatures can be all over the place unless driven at a steady speed or the electric fans are on for some reason (A/C use, etc).

I agree. The coolant temp gauge in my E430 and the the Scan-Gauge clone Ultra-Gauge confirms that the temperature is all over the range from 185F to 205F driving on city streets, it is more constant at around 190-195F on steady gighway speed of 65-75MPH. This is with original OEM thermostat.

 

[Hokiefyd]

My old Cadillacs would run 192-202*F in steady or semi-steady cruising, but if driving around town with no A/C on, the coolant temp would range up to 222*F, when the cooling fans kicked on. If the A/C was on around town, coolant temperatures were more steady, around 202-212*F.

This is why most coolant temperature gauges are heavily damped. People tend to worry when they see varying temperatures, even though that's completely normal.