Nocturno
New member
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- Jan 12, 2023
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- Buick Ownership
- 2014 Lacrosse
Hello!
This one has left me scratching my head. And I don't have much hair left to scratch out...
I thought my coolant temp was running too cool 80C/176F, but the thermostat I found to buy is a 180F/82.2222C thermostat.
I drive 65 KM each way to work, and it runs solid at 80C hardly varying. If I stop to idle for a few minutes it might get up to 82C, and parking and turning off it might get up to 85C.
Looking around this seems like a low temp, but the thermostat is going to open at 82, so it seems like my current one is working properly.
From the service manual, it references 91C/195F, but the thermostat offered everywhere, a MotoRad 719-180 operates at 82.2222/180.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a coolant flow control component, whose purpose is to regulate the operating temperature of the engine. The thermostat utilizes a temperature sensitive wax-pellet element, which connects to a valve through a piston. Heating is causing the element to expand and exert pressure against a rubber diaphragm. This pressure forces the valve to open. Cooling causes the element to contract. This contraction allows a spring to push the valve closed.
When the coolant temperature is below 91°C (195°F), the thermostat valve remains closed. This prevents circulation of the coolant to the radiator and allows the engine to warm up quickly. After the coolant temperature reaches 91°C (195°F), the thermostat valve will open. The switch point will differ a little depending on engine. The coolant is then allowed to circulate through the thermostat to the radiator where the engine heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system, even after opening. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitations at the water pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.
For some engines a solenoid thermostat controlled by the ECM will open and close the circulation.
This one has left me scratching my head. And I don't have much hair left to scratch out...
I thought my coolant temp was running too cool 80C/176F, but the thermostat I found to buy is a 180F/82.2222C thermostat.
I drive 65 KM each way to work, and it runs solid at 80C hardly varying. If I stop to idle for a few minutes it might get up to 82C, and parking and turning off it might get up to 85C.
Looking around this seems like a low temp, but the thermostat is going to open at 82, so it seems like my current one is working properly.
From the service manual, it references 91C/195F, but the thermostat offered everywhere, a MotoRad 719-180 operates at 82.2222/180.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a coolant flow control component, whose purpose is to regulate the operating temperature of the engine. The thermostat utilizes a temperature sensitive wax-pellet element, which connects to a valve through a piston. Heating is causing the element to expand and exert pressure against a rubber diaphragm. This pressure forces the valve to open. Cooling causes the element to contract. This contraction allows a spring to push the valve closed.
When the coolant temperature is below 91°C (195°F), the thermostat valve remains closed. This prevents circulation of the coolant to the radiator and allows the engine to warm up quickly. After the coolant temperature reaches 91°C (195°F), the thermostat valve will open. The switch point will differ a little depending on engine. The coolant is then allowed to circulate through the thermostat to the radiator where the engine heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system, even after opening. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitations at the water pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.
For some engines a solenoid thermostat controlled by the ECM will open and close the circulation.
