Thermostat opinions - Lower Set point for Summer

[chorty]

Yes. Good idea.
I'm going by what the ECU reports. The temp sensor is new. I made an assumption that the temp would be accurate.
No other way I know of to get a precise coolant temp when hot without adding something.

See post #91.

 

[MaximumMini]

See post #91.

I went back and re-read that post again. I still don't see the correlation?
Could you explain? Maybe I'm just missing the obvious?

The temp sensor either sends the actual temperature, or it does not? There is no try.
I could use a laser thermometer to see how close it is?

 

[MaximumMini]

This ^^^. I had a 1999 Dodge conversion van with the 318 engine having similar issues. Bought it new, so knew how it was maintained. Went through flushing, changing thermostat, etc. Finally replaced the radiator and all was well. Sold it to my next door neighbor and he passed it on to a large family in need. Still running good to this day.

Agreed. This same minivan had a real overheating problem before I installed a new standard duty (1 row) radiator about 18 months ago.

One thing about this is that most of these older minivans don't have any indication of the coolant temp beyond the gauge needle which pretty much remains in the middle from about 190F all the way up to 235F. This is to keep people from panicking over temps that are closer to but not yet fully critical. So I would venture a guess that most of these minivans run temps similar to mine but people aren't as OCD with the temp of the engine/coolant. I build the engines for them so maybe that's why.

For anyone with a 3rd or 4th generation Chrysler minivan.....
I have a heavy duty 3 row radiator ordered to hopefully increase cooling capacity. Just keeping in mind that the ONLY time high temps are an issue is when sitting in traffic or at traffic light stop and go. Basically city driving. Once moving on the open roads the temps are fine. Either way, I admit that my minivan doesn't actually have an "overheating" issue (according to factory specifications), I'd just prefer it stays cooler when stuck in traffic. Once the coolant temps get over 220F the temp of the AC coming from the vents begins to warm up somewhat.

As an experiment, I changed the standard thermostat to a Motorad "High Flow" thermostat that visibly has a 30% larger water passage opening. It has made a difference. The big difference is that it is taking considerably longer for the coolant temp to rise when sitting still than with the standard thermostat. Eventually it still rises but I have not yet had it rise all the way to the 224F it used to rise to. Perhaps on a hotter day it will. The outside air temp has a huge effect on coolant temps of course. So I have to be careful interpreting results.