CaliforniaStang

Anyone know what the temperature the thermostat is set to? It is about 30 degrees here in Colorado, and it took FOREVER for the car to heat up. Didn't have this problem in my previous stang. Just curious if I need to install a higher temp thermostat.

ltccarndt

mine seems the same way, odd. I think maybe the GT has a rather high capacity cooling system in case we push the car. So I guess I have to get used to a long warm up

adrenalin

I hope they are not using the same thermostat for the cars going to Canada. That would really stink.

JustAnotherDude

..or would it be really cool?

ace0215

please excuse my ignorance, but is the thermostat not the dial you turn to set the temp?

169stang

they are talking about the thermostat located on the engine head where the upper radiator hose comes out of the head. Not the a/c adjustment. The thermostat opens and closes to cool the motor off (with radiator fluid) at certain temps. EX. Once it reaches 190 degrees (for example), the thermostat opens up allowing the radiator fluid to flow into the engine block to cool the motor.

this site can pretty much answer any questions.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

this address is specific to the thermostat.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm

Kluski

Oh, that site is going to occupy a lot of my time. Thanks (I think).

If the T-Stat is set a little higher, will that cause any car problems or general differences (other than the driver being colder a little longer)?

169stang

If you have a lower temp thermostat, the block will cool quicker, thus making it seem like it takes longer to warm up. The downside to this, performance is better with a cooler block. This is what I found myself. I tested about 4 different thermostats until my motor ran at peak performance. Then again, I live in Florida and warming the block up isn't really an issue as it is in Pittsburgh or other snow states. By the way, I'll be in the Beaver Falls (Pitt area) area for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We go up there atleast 4 times a year.

clintoris

30 degrees? Justin, it's warmer down there than it is in Denver. When I was drivin' to work, at about quarter ater 6 it was 14 degrees. I'm tired of this crap..... I'm moving to Florida. I'm also waiting until we move to get my Stang..... I don't want any of that mag chloride on the car.

169stang

Yea, it's about 89 degrees here. What's mag chloride?

clintoris

magnesium chloride... they put it on the roads to melt the ice..... because salt is so terrible for the little animals, or whatever the heck else. I think they taste better salted, myself. the mag is "better" for the environment, but it's awful on cars.... When I bought my Bronco, it had a tail pipe on it. Then when I drove it through 1 winter without washing the under carriage, I watched the tailpipe just sort of flake away until it made it back to the axle.. in less than a year. It was aluminized steel. So, yeah.... after seeing that.... I just left my Mustang in the garage all winter. If I ever did take it out, I washed the UC super good.
The mag is also pretty hard on bushings too.... makes them hard and brittle, crack, etc. AND it's a friggin' mess to try to clean off... it will coat your windshield when driving in traffic and you have to use so much washer fluid to clear it so you can see where the heck you're goin'.

169stang

I know, I was being goofy b/c there is no mag chloride down here. I lived in North Canton, Ohio for about 1 year and I had a new Jeep Jack on my Jeep that looked 20 yrs old after 1 winter.

05mustangbear

I know, I was being goofy b/c there is no mag chloride down here. I lived in North Canton, Ohio for about 1 year and I had a new Jeep Jack on my Jeep that looked 20 yrs old after 1 winter

yeah, and what is that funny little plastic thing witht the handle, in your glove compartment in the cars up north! hehe!

169stang

I think those are for scraping road kill off the tires

clintoris

I'm a little slow.... but I just picked up my first cup of coffee..... since last winter, so give me a minute and I'll play along.
Do they use mag chloride up in the mid west too? I thouht they were still on salt. I know Utah was still using salt when I lived there about 10 years ago..... and come to think of it... the last few times I'd driven there in the winter, they were still on it.

169stang

I believe when I lived in ohio, they were using salt. I'm in S. Florida now and honestly have no clue what they use anymore. (If that was directed to me)

clintoris

no... mind your own business

just kiddin', brutha

clintoris

I like the idea of using above freezing temperatures to melt the ice. Man.... I was out in Clearwater last spring.... it was so nice to take a dip in the Gulf.... 86 degree water. I could use some of that here right now.

169stang

I live on the East coast. Everyone over here considers the Gulf water to be bath water. Still better than the waters your swimming in I suppose!
EDIT: not everyone, but most

clintoris

yeah, it was about like that.... but when all we have here ar 2 public lakes in the metro area, and they only get to about 73 degrees for a short period of time, it makes for some lowsy times in the water. It normally wouldn't be an issue, but it's pretty disruptive to my other passion..... wakeboarding.