Author Topic: Thermostats: Which do you use? (Read 3132 times)

overdrivegear · « **on:** April 11, 2008, 08:54:59 am »

So it takes absolutely forever for my 1.6 na to heat up to operating temperature and when it does finally heat up, it's always not even a third of the way to the center of the gauge. I'm running a 160 F thermostat and am thinking of switching to either a 180 F or 190 F thermostat so I can get a quicker heat up time.
I know you have to take into account the climate at which you are running but I'd think it wouldn't hurt to at least run a 180 F thermostat.

I'd just like to get a consensus as to the popular choice and why you would use the one you do?

fastvicar · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2008, 09:00:18 am »

180 for me. I'm nervous about putting a 190 in mine.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2008, 09:13:54 am »

I use the second hottest available, which ever that is.

I used to use the hottest but there is a smaller margin for error if it messes up.

clbanman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2008, 09:19:40 am »

I've had problems with every brand I've tried except what I've bought from the local VW dealer, so that's all I use. I figure saving money on a thermostat and ruining an engine isn't very cost effective.

Rat407 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2008, 09:49:22 am »

80degree C here and from my oil analysis it is showing that I'm running a little cool so I'm stepping up to the 87C. I did an IR reading and my head was reading around 168F and the block down at the crank was reading 192F, this was at idle, also the temp coming right out of my K14 turbo was at 250F.

I have talked to severa that only use the thermostat from the dealer due to issues with other brands not working or lasting long.

DonGTI · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2008, 02:29:46 pm »

i'm using an 80 degree celcius one in a mediterranean climate, plus 2 stage fan which is set at 80 -> 90 Low 90+ high. My oil cooler thermostat plate is set at around 85 degrees (82 on the box).

Gauge bang on middle and a little bit (1 mm) to the hot side after just 10 minutes of normal 40-60 mph driving and stays there no matter what...
Oil temperature (as soon as oil leaves oilpump) reads 128 celcius maximum when car is moving

I suggest you experiment to find your ideal combination... i have friends with exactly the same engine with drasticaly different setups which give the same effect i.e. factory oilcooler instead of air to air one, single speed fan set at 100, thermostat that opens at temperatures as low as 60 degrees ecc ecc ecc

Possum79 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2008, 04:28:07 pm »

I went with the 95 C i think is what was supposed to be oe on my 1.5 but i think now that winters going away im going down on that. runs about 3/4 way on the gauge.

EDIT: Im running a 195 F which is like 90C. Im going to go down to 180F.

burnt_servo · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2008, 05:35:41 pm »

i'm running a 180 degree thermostat right now .... not sure what this off hand in "c" .

but when i start running wvo , i plan on switching to a 190 to help burn the thicker fuel .

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2008, 02:55:15 pm »

i had a 200 in my old, definitely too hot imo

rabbitman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2008, 12:36:45 am »

Well, I'd say if possible always run a vdub t-stat. Mine (180F from napa :roll: ) worked good for 2 years, warmed up fast and stayed steady in the middle on the gauge. Then it started running hot so I bought another napa one :oops: . Warms up way slower now and still gets hot if I go fast, slow down a bit and the temps get perfect.

I don't see why it matters what climate you live in.....seems to me like the hotter the engine gets the farther the t-stat opens, if it opens all the way and still gets too hot the fan comes on and if that can't cool it down you would need a bigger radiator.