5.088lxdood87

just had a quick question lately my car has been running on the warm side its been creeping up to the N or a little below the red i pull my car over and let it cool down of course and start driving again it goes back up and then its running at the R and then it will be fine im kinda confused as to whats going on could it possibly be that my thermostat is going bad or does it maybe sound like something else?

OneGearhead

sounds to me like it might be the water pump. im guessing when you say you pull over and let it cool off you turn the car off, correct? and how long do you let it sit until you start it back up and start driving again? before you start driving, or do you let it sit and idle for a few minutes, or start it up, let it idle for like 30sec to a min and then take off?

5.088lxdood87

funny thing is is i had the water pump replaced car was running perfect after that i had that put on last year around october so it hasnt been that long now its getting consistantly warmer could it be that the water pump may have a leak and yes i pull it over and turn it off ive never drove it home like that id rather buy a $12 thermostat or a $30 water pump then have to worry about cooking my engine also what temp do you reccomend a 180 or a 195 they have a 195 at napa didnt know if it was worth pickng it up thanks alot for your reply

FordMustangXBA

The thermostat could be sticking closed. My truck used to do that. I had to fill my rad with rain water one time cause it boiled over, lol. In any event it's a cheap and quick fix if you feel like doing it.

OneGearhead

i have a 180* thermostat in my car. its great. if you just replaced the water pump, then it probably is just the t-stat. its a lot easier and cost effective to replace, so, id go ahead and do the t-stat and if its still causing problems, it might be something else. you dont have a coolant leak anywhere either do you?

5.088lxdood87

thats what i was thinking too it might be sticking but i havent had to fill it with rain water yet lets hope it doesnt get to that point lol and if i can get 180 and it works fine ill skip paying the extra few bucks if its not really neccesary and ive looked all over for one my hoses are fine the gasket on the water pump looks good and it was grinded down before the new gasket was put on so i know theres no old gasket peices that could cause a gap in the seal ill have to check again just to make sure but i havent noticed any leaks when i pull over and ceck it so idk i hope its the thermostat its a pretty reasonable fix but thanks so much for the advice it really helps.

grnstang

yup do the 180 t stat. does anyone know what our stock thermostat is? 190? 200?

OneGearhead

i thought the stock t-stat was 195*

Edit: i just looked it up on Advance Auto's website and the only one its showing is a 195. not even showing a 180, so, it probably is 195.

5.088lxdood87

Im so relieved i got it on took me a minute the housing was messed up and rough and the part on the block was rough also i got all the old gasket off still wouldnt hold the gasket it just dripped and conviniently there was a nice fel pro gasket in my glove box from when i bought the car so kinda funny eh? i slapped that on there tightened it all back together put new coolant in it let it warm up took it for a drive and everything was great car ran alot cooler and the heat was blastin lol the 180 seems excellent thanks alot guys for the suggestions you really helped me out

OneGearhead

glad you got everything worked out *thumbs up*