Hey guys. I am having the cooling system flushed tomorrow and having the thermostat replaced (possibly original one for the truck. Definitely at least 31000 miles old since I have been driving it that long and haven't had it replaced.). T-stat is suspected to be stuck open since it takes forever just for it to warm up and it never gets to 210. Just stops at 190-200 and doesn't get to 210 unless I stop and it is idling for a few seconds. Would the engine benefit from a thermostat with a lower temperature rating? I hear that there are lower temp ratings available for the 4.3L. Thanks

 

You don't want to do that. The stock thermo is 195*, so the temps you are reporting sound acceptable. Installing a colder thermo will prevent the engine from going into closed loop operation, robbing performance and fuel mileage.

 

Ok thanks. Didn't think that the computer had THAT much say in things. So a cooler engine is not really a happy engine then, huh? All because of the computer. That would probably also set a code? I thought closed loop has to do with the O2 sensors?
Also that proves what my mom said on the phone completely false. She just had her 60k service on her 2008 Lexus RX350 and it was over $500. She said my car is easier to fix because there is alot less complexity and there aren't computers operating everything. Sorry, mom. Even 1998 GM trucks have computers for everything. Only thing is computers are hard to get if they go bad.