1995 Buick Lesabre WEIRD TEMPERATURE READING!

1995 BUICK LESABRE

CARDOBCF

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The car has 90,000 miles on it. 3.8 engine
About 3 months ago I had the stock 200 degrees thermostat changed out with a 'failsafe thermostat 180 degrees.'

Since then the car runs about 160-170 degrees. Is that normal for it to run lower than what it is intended for?

Also, recently (a month) the temperature gauge can read 200-210 degrees when it is in idle for a while but while driving it drops back down to 160-170. But this only happened twice in that time period, it is not consistent.

Did I possibly buy a faulty thermostat?

Nov 28, 2007 at 6:53 PM

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BMRFIXIT

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
19,053 POSTS

[quote:89c8f9ad2b="cardobcf"]The car has 90,000 miles on it. 3.8 engine
About 3 months ago I had the stock 200 degrees thermostat changed out with a 'failsafe thermostat 180 degrees.'

Since then the car runs about 160-170 degrees. Is that normal for it to run lower than what it is intended for?

Also, recently (a month) the temperature gauge can read 200-210 degrees when it is in idle for a while but while driving it drops back down to 160-170. But this only happened twice in that time period, it is not consistent.

Did I possibly buy a faulty thermostat?[/quote:89c8f9ad2b]

Every thing is possible
I will take radiator cap off drain little down the coolant get a thermometer
Stick it in the radiator make sure its in contact with coolant start the engine and let it warm up watch the thermometer u will know when the thermostat open and then make the decision if the thermostat a good or bad one.
Also check the wires on the temp sending unit

Good luck

Nov 28, 2007 at 7:58 PM