I have a 1986 Chrysler LeBaron and it normally runs just great, but today I installed a 180 degree thermostat in it, as the old thermostat stopped working and the car was running too hot.
However, when I removed the old thermostat, I noted that it was a 195 degree type, and I fgured that there could be no harm in having it open at 180 in the heat of Summer, so I installed the new 180 degree unit since I had already bought it.
When I tested the car shortly afterwards after the installation of the new thermostat and fresh coolant, the car seemed to run rough for no reason other than I think it might be that the thermostat is opening too quickly.
Am I right or not? Could it be the thermostat is wrong in this case and causing the car to run rough?
2007-07-15 13:43:02 · 14 answers · asked by Middy S 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First off your car IS a computer controlled car, a 2.2L would be fuel injected, a 2.6 would be carbutated with computer controlled fuel metering. A 180 degree thermostat should work just fine, as the computer controls the fan operation and will regulate the colling by cycling the fan on at 212 degrees, then turn off at 200, I have had many Chrysler FWD car and run 180 degree thermostats with no problems at all. Second, the fact that it runs rough may be a head gasket issue, very common, or a worn plug wire, distributor cap , rotor, etc. problem, if you spilled coolant on the cap- it could be affecting the spark distribution, causing a misfire.
You stated that the car was running hot! In my experience the thermostat usually fails in one of two ways, open or fully closed, not to say that a thermostat never causes a car engine to run hot, just not very often. Look at the engine oil and coolant and pull the spark plugs an "read them" look for one that has little or no deposits on it, like it was steam cleaned (from coolant burning in the combustion chamber).
Chances are that the hot running condition is a symptom of a deeper problem, like a cracked head or blown head gasket, If you have the tools try pressure checking the cooling system for leaks, internal and external leaks will show up as a slow loss of pressure, most likely you have other problems.
2007-07-23 12:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by Perry F 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Computer Controlled Thermostat
2017-01-05 14:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A car is post to run in a heat range To hot it will over heat and blow head gasket or even lock up engine. Cold it will not go into cold loop. which mean it will run rich. The extur gas will end up in the exhaust and the 02 sensor will go out. The conver can stop up and stop the care from running till conver is replaced. Yes! cool engine will run better and have more power. But to cool engine it will use a lot more gas and do damage as above. You have two temperstat you can use. 195 and 185. A 180 is to cold. These are only examples No temperstat is the worse of all.
2016-04-01 05:57:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, if you install it wrong. There are two ways to install it, the right way and the wrong way. The wrong way will lead to engin over heating.
It is possible you knocked something else loose, but the spark plugs screw in, the cables could be loose, but you should be able to push them back into place easily enough.
Bottom line, check the cables if you want to, make sure the thermostat is in correctly and, if it still gives you problems, take it into a trusted shop.
2007-07-22 17:24:16 · answer #4 · answered by jakeu1701 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure can make it run bad.
On computer controlled cars, the water temperature sensor is set to activate at a certain temperature. Generally 190 Deg. F.
If you have a 180 Deg. thermostat, the computer never goes into what's termed "closed loop" and allows the computer to control the timing, air \ fuel mixture, and other engine stuff.
Put the proper temperature thermostat back in.
2007-07-15 13:56:03 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
on a newer car it could run rough..... one person previously answered saying computer controlled cars may not function properly....not trying to dis your car or anything but a 86 LeBaron is not computer controlled. for this car, all it will do is run it at a slightly cooler temp. check other possible problem spots first like plug wires etc. if you still cant find it, then you may try replacing the thermostat with the correct temp one but i doubt it would have any effect on your car.
2007-07-23 11:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by snowmobiler488 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
like mr know it all said, it affects the computer and also you won't get as much performance. because the way a motor makes power is through heat pressure, well the more heat that is lost through the coolant system the less heat is available to make pressure. just put in the right thermostat.
2007-07-21 01:17:43 · answer #7 · answered by pimpjon 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the thermostat is not at fault, something you may have removed in order to replace the thermostat is a more likely cause
(ie sensor electrical connector not installed or damaged terminals while reinstalling-----or perhaps something inadvertently damaged during repair)
2007-07-23 13:03:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I doubt its the thermostat, you bumped or disconnected something, sometimes just moving spark plug wires can cause them to crossfire or short out against a metal part.
2007-07-15 14:02:09 · answer #9 · answered by cimra 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem. You need to replace the MAP sensor. You probably have gotten water in it some how. You can try to dry it out, but a new one will work much better.
2007-07-22 09:36:47 · answer #10 · answered by John M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋