94 1.8 5spd 268k kms london ontario

hello folks! just wondering where on the temp gauge do most 1.8s sit? i'm sitting over 1/2 but under 3/4. it'll idle and the fan will still come on after a few mins...im thinking that someone before me put a hotter thermostat in. should i change it for the summer? (my coolant is good, fan works. new water pump)
thanks everyone
Chris

 

Yes, change the thermostat. I would recommend getting an OEM thermostat from your local dealer. If you don't want to do that, then get a good quality aftermarket thermostat that meets Mazda specifications for your vehicle.

A higher coolant temp leads to more expansion of the coolant and more coolant flowing into the expansion bottle. This translates into a lower fill range (how full the bottle can be when the engine is cold without the bottle overflowing when the engine is hot). More hot coolant being released into the bottle means more loss due to evaporation as well. Also, a higher operating temperature leaves you with less time to react if the thermostat should fail to open, as you won't know that something is wrong until you are almost boiling over. There are a host of other problems associated with a higher coolant operating temperature, especially in hot weather. They include knocking, higher oil temp, higher block temperature, reduced radiator and heater hose life and reduced engine longevity in general.

Get that hot thermostat out of there ASAP![align=left] [/align]

 

that is what i figured, i'll get on it ASAP now that the warmer weather is comming
thanks
chris

 

well. even after changing the thermostat, and a temp sensor, it still shows on my temp gauge that i am running above 1/2. i know that there is a new water pump and the coolant 'looks' decent. i went to the wreckers and found 2 sensors on the drivers side of the motor...one was on the thermostat housing and the other was on the side at the back of the block (thermostat one had one wire and the other had 2 wires) anyone have any ideas as to what i should try next?
chris

 

Does the fan cycle on and off at idle (a minute or two on and then a few minutes off)? If so, I wouldn't worry about it, as this indicates that the cooling system is working OK. If not, try getting it backflushed. The coolant might look OK, but the radiator could be plugged up.

I know you changed the thermostat, but are you sure it isn't too hot? Confirm the specifications. If it is an aftermarket thermostat, get an OEM from a dealer.

Again, the fan at idle should be a good indicator of whether you have a problem or not.
[align=left] [/align]

 

the fan does come on after a few mins at idle then off and so forth...its just a little concerning...i want to get another temp gauge on it just to see what i am running temp wise...i installed a 180degree and a 190 came out of it.....
thanks