With these Discoverys and cooling issues combined with how damaging an overheat could be, does anybody use a 160 degree stat? I replace my water pump and thermostat with a brand everybody says to get rid of and I think I believe them. I bought a Motorad 180 but I’m still getting hot. Definitely on a hot day it’ll get up to 206. If I’m going up a steep hill it’s gotten to 215 before I turned around. I’m going to be replacing the fan clutch to see if that helps too.

just curious about a Failsafe 160 stat from auto zone. Thanks guys!

 

I have a 180 t-stat and i don’t think I’ve ever seen it go over 205F. We have very long steep highways here and the ambient temperature can be over 35C. I don’t know the t-stat brand but I got it from roverguy.com. I don’t think you need to go to a 160.

 

The 160F thermostat will just open faster, but generally overall engine temp will still eventually reach critical levels if something in the system isn't up to spec. Also opening that cold usually isn't good for MPG or emissions, but if you're gonna run that low of a thermostat you might as well just run around without one to be honest.

 

before you go to far, check and see what the actual temp is and not by what the OBDII says, or what it says on the dash gauge. They are all massivly inaccurate. Fought with my 99 D1 for almost a year replacing parts left and right until I found the factory temp readings were WRONG. when I thought it was too hot, it was barely warm. Get a good infra-red thermometer and take your own readings.

 

I had both a dead fan clutch and sh1tty radiator cause issues on 2 different d1's recently. Worth a look into those

 

i actually just changed my fan clutch and all my issues are fixed! Took it four wheeling up trails in 97 degree heat, full A/c, max temp was 196. Loved it. Before my temps would slowly and consistently raise past 215 without stopping unless I turned heat on high. Amazing how a seemingly insignificant part can make all the difference! Thanks!