Coolant Temp not staying steady

[tigerclaws1318]

Lately my coolant temperature gauge has been dropping faster than normal. For example after driving the car with the car at normal operating temp and then shutting it off for 5 to 10 minutes the needle has fallen to about a quarter regardless of outside temperature.

I remember it wasn't like this a while back. The coolant temp needle would stay in the middle even after shutting it down for like 30 minutes. Could I have maybe a thermostat that's slightly open?

[flash4o]

Sounds like a faulty thermostat.

I've seen them go slowly, instead of all at once. If that is it and you do replace, def do the waterpump while it's apart along with a coolant flush.

I just replaced both on my '04 with almost 110K miles.