is there anything wrong with a 180 degree thermostat?

[Cumsterdump]

while i do live in an extremely hot climate i know that with these jeeps the OEM 195 is plenty enough. i am asking because i just did my water pump and would like to say screw it and just knock out a new thermostat but oem is like 60 bucks and a guy on marketplace is selling a brand new 180 with a “high flow” housing for 15 bucks out the door. i know it wouldn’t be catastrophic but is there any actual difference in wear, tun

 

[Cumsterdump]

by the way it’s a Motorad thermostat. let me know if those suck so i can avoid it

 

[macleanflood]

Flowkooler.

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Stick with a 195. Zero reasons not to.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorad-7200...-Thermostat/dp/B000C5CDXK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[macleanflood]

Stick with a 195. Zero reasons not to.

Technically 15... -)

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Technically 15... -)

-Mac

Touché.

 

[KennethS]

Stick with a 195. Zero reasons not to.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorad-7200...-Thermostat/dp/B000C5CDXK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I would remove the “fail safe” metal bracket before installation.

Several years ago I used one of those as it was the only thing available at the local parts store. Some time later, it “failed safe” for unknown reasons and the engine didn’t warm up. I removed the thermostat and saw it was held open by the bracket, so I removed the bracket and tested the thermostat in a pot of water on the stove. It opened correctly, so I reinstalled it, and it has worked correctly for many years now.


edit: It is possible the 180 thermostat may not warm the coolant enough to make the computer happy.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I would remove the “fail safe” metal bracket before installation.

Several years ago I used one of those as it was the only thing available at the local parts store. Some time later, it “failed safe” for unknown reasons and the engine didn’t warm up. I removed the thermostat and saw it was held open by the bracket, so I removed the bracket and tested the thermostat in a pot of water on the stove. It opened correctly, so I reinstalled it, and it has worked correctly for many years now.


edit: It is possible the 180 thermostat may not warm the coolant enough to make the computer happy.

I just posted the link for a price reference. I've only used the old 195 Stant Superstat non fail-safe thermostats and never paid over $15.

 

[Unique Username]

Stay with the 195. The computers goal is to get the engine up to operating temperature (195) as quickly as possible. If you run a 180 the computer will continuously be trying to get the temperature up. Likely by pumping in additional fuel. Either way, this isn’t like the days of carbonation when we could toss in a 180 and made a few easy adjustments.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

while i do live in an extremely hot climate i know that with these jeeps the OEM 195 is plenty enough. i am asking because i just did my water pump and would like to say screw it and just knock out a new thermostat but oem is like 60 bucks and a guy on marketplace is selling a brand new 180 with a “high flow” housing for 15 bucks out the door. i know it wouldn’t be catastrophic but is there any actual difference in wear, tun

The PCM is programmed around the 195 operating temp (technically 194F).

If you run the 180, you run the risk of the engine staying stuck in warm up in cooler weather, meaning it doesn't run on the normal spark and may run rich longer than normal thinking it needs to warm up the cats. That's not going to be doing you any favors. Unless you've got the extra $400 or so laying around for an MPVI to tune around this and specifically want to for some negligible possible gain -

don't run the 180.

 

[Cumsterdump]

Stick with a 195. Zero reasons not to.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorad-7200...-Thermostat/dp/B000C5CDXK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

i mean my post did detail the exact reason why but yeah i gotcha

 

[Cumsterdump]

The PCM is programmed around the 195 operating temp (technically 194F).

If you run the 180, you run the risk of the engine staying stuck in warm up in cooler weather, meaning it doesn't run on the normal spark and may run rich longer than normal thinking it needs to warm up the cats. That's not going to be doing you any favors. Unless you've got the extra $400 or so laying around for an MPVI to tune around this and specifically want to for some negligible possible gain -

don't run the 180.

now i know, thanks for the details it’s much more fun to know why rather than a yes or no

 

[ItchyDong]

Stay with the 195. The computers goal is to get the engine up to operating temperature (195) as quickly as possible. If you run a 180 the computer will continuously be trying to get the temperature up. Likely by pumping in additional fuel. Either way, this isn’t like the days of carbonation when we could toss in a 180 and made a few easy adjustments.

Yep. This is 100% correct. Run these positive fuel trims long enough, and you’ll end up plugging up your cats with unburned fuel.

 

[macleanflood]

Yep. This is 100% correct. Run these positive fuel trims long enough, and you’ll end up plugging up your cats with unburned fuel.

And spend the difference you saved in single digit gas mileage.

-Mac

 

[OilSpot74]

We see tons of issues with cpu on other vehicle types not agreeing with the lower than OEM thermostats. The owners always made the changes with perfect intentions but just opened up a Pandora’s Box of secondary headaches. If it asks for 195, just give it the 195 lol.