Thermostat For '01 Camry?

[divine]

My mechanic recently put a 180-d thermostat in my 2001 Camry (2.2 L engine). And, though the temp needle on the dash is in about the same position as it always had been, the engine seems hot. When I take the oil dip stick out, it's very hot; the oil cap on the engine is hot (and, consequently, hard to unscrew), and the heat from the engine when I lift the hood - even if I traveled relatively few miles - is hot.

My question is whether this thermostat is of the right temperature (180) for this car. Anyone have any comments?

Thank you.

[JohnGD]

Many mechanics use thermostats without the jiggle valve. I'd use either the OEM Kuzeh thermostat or Stant "OE Exact" thermostat.

Here is the $4.85 type that I wouldn't use:
http://info.rockauto.com/Stant/Detail.html?13758.jpg

And the $10.76 "OE Exact" thermostat that I would use:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1145694

I'd also test or change out the radiator cap too. What type of coolant did he use? Did the mechanic use distilled water to mix it?

[divine]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Many mechanics use thermostats without the jiggle valve. I'd use either the OEM Kuzeh thermostat or Stant "OE Exact" thermostat.

Here is the $4.85 type that I wouldn't use:
http://info.rockauto.com/Stant/Detail.html?13758.jpg

And the $10.76 "OE Exact" thermostat that I would use:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1145694

I'd also test or change out the radiator cap too. What type of coolant did he use? Did the mechanic use distilled water to mix it?

__________________________________________________ __________

Hmmm. I'm not sure on any of these, as I wasn't here when he did the work. I do know that the radiator is brand new (with the cap), but I don't know what kind of coolant he used and whether it was with distilled water . . . but, I'll find out. Thanks so much.

[dc_98_cam]

I have the same engine as yours:
If you can get hold of a non-contact thermometer ... the type with a laser dot ... you can take the temperature on the upper radiator hose as it goes into the radiator... just a spot on the top of the upper hose. I measured about 175F ... engine warmed up, temp gauge just below half, AC on, and an OEM jiggle type thermostat installed.

The ambient (air) temperature during this measurement was slightly above 100F. However that really should not affect the upper hose temp. The lower hose temp was about 130F, and that measurement might be affected to some extent by the ambient temperature.

I calibrated the thermo-gun at 32F using ice and water mix, and also at 212F, using boiling water in a pan ... The resulting measurements were within a degree or two.

[divine]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

I have the same engine as yours:
If you can get hold of a non-contact thermometer ... the type with a laser dot ... you can take the temperature on the upper radiator hose as it goes into the radiator... just a spot on the top of the upper hose. I measured about 175F ... engine warmed up, temp gauge just below half, AC on, and an OEM jiggle type thermostat installed.

The ambient (air) temperature during this measurement was slightly above 100F. However that really should not affect the upper hose temp. The lower hose temp was about 130F, and that measurement might be affected to some extent by the ambient temperature.

I calibrated the thermo-gun at 32F using ice and water mix, and also at 212F, using boiling water in a pan ... The resulting measurements were within a degree or two.

__________________________________________________ ____

Thanks so much for your help!

[JohnGD]

A new radiator shouldn't make the engine run hotter. In fact in many cases the engine should run slightly cooler. The reason I asked about the thermostat is the non-jiggle types have a tendency to trap air in the block.

And right, the upper hose shouldn't be much hotter than the rated temp (180 degF) unless there was extended idling or heavy driving.

[divine]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

A new radiator shouldn't make the engine run hotter. In fact in many cases the engine should run slightly cooler. The reason I asked about the thermostat is the non-jiggle types have a tendency to trap air in the block.

And right, the upper hose shouldn't be much hotter than the rated temp (180 degF) unless there was extended idling or heavy driving.

__________________________________________________ _________

Thanks so very much for your help.