I got a new Duralast Gold 195 thermostat. The needle on the gauge looks okay, stays to the left of the 210 mark but when I pull into the driveway and check the temp at the housing with a laser thermometer it reads higher. Sometimes 210, 220 and even 230. If I am fast enough I might catch a 195 but idling, it runs up pretty quick.

I tested the stat on the stove and it opened at 195 or so but did not open as wide as the old stat. Makes me wonder if it is working okay, maybe 230 idling at a long light is not primo..

Also, if anyone has a non-contact thermometer, do you have some readings I can compare my readings to?

 

Don't hold me 2 it but that seems a little high 2 me... My Blazer runs at most about 195 too 200 degrees on long drives or stop and go traffic...

 

I agree. What are you running for coolant?
How did you know it was 195?

 

I am not happy with my 205-208 water temp but I think it’s the O’Reilly house radiator I bought. Like the Denso ones much better. Thinking about copying Christine and installing the 2” thick unit she did.

 

I put in a new stat earlier this summer, think it was a STANT....anyways I noticed it did not have a small hole in the center to allow a very small amount of coolant flow when closed. I have since noticed that the temp gauge reads just to the right side of the 210 mark whereas it used to be on the left side. It is a 195, same as the old one....just does not have that little hole. Sure wish I had gone ahead and drilled one before I installed it.

So puttster...did your have that small hole?

 

Yes there is a hole,

 

We have seen new thermostats being bad. If it does not open the same area as the old one I'd change it again and test the new one again in a kettle/pan.

 

Maybe it just needed to get the new off.last check the housing and hose flange was 195.