Ryan5.0

I'm running pretty rich. I have now determined that it is carbon deposits blowing out of the tail pipes (along with black smoke at heavy throttle) and not oil. I plan to pull the codes this weekend, but after running a search on past threads about causes for the rich condition, I learned that an incorrect (too cool) t-stat can cause a rich condition. The previous owner had installed a new radiator and t-stat and although the heater works fine, the temp gauge never gets above the "L" of "NORMAL". Im thinking that the guy installed a cooler than stock t-stat that could be causing my rich condition. Where should the temp gauge read with a correct t-stat? Also, its been doing this for a year now, what else has this rich condition screwed up (cats, sensors, etc.)? Car runs and idles great but I bet I'm losing some horsepower. Thanks for any help.

Ryan

50Trippin

I had the same problem when I put my 180 degree t-stat in. Car ran really rich,got crappy gas mileage and would never warm up all the way. I took it out and put a cheap Stant 190 degree t-stat in and runs perfectly fine now. My temp sits right in the middle of the gauge now.

Only mods are full exhaust.

Ryan5.0

Thanks. Could I have damaged the oxygen sensors and cats? Look at all the crap that collects on my rear bumper. Its worse on the passenger side.

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luckythirteen13

stock gauge should read right about the middle

Ryan5.0

That's what I figured. My gauge reads really low. Im buyin a new t-stat today. Hope that is all it is.

luckythirteen13

id buy an aftermarket gauge. the stock one isnt worth a damn and shouldnt be trusted

Ryan5.0

Exactly. Thats why I was curious as to where other peoples stock temp gauges read.

Js04sILVerBullet

The stock t-stat should b a 195 degree which should b about half way on the stock guage. I've ran a cheap stant t-stat 180 degree on my 87 GT with no problems and a cheap stant t-stat 160 degree on my 87 LX with no problems.with the 180 my stock guage read about a quarter of the way up from the bottomand with the 160 on my LX it read 160 cuz i had a set of Autometer guages in the LX.