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Two summers ago I was forced to change the thermostat in my 1997 Acura Integra LS. It turned out to be a really difficult problem to diagnose because even on the hottest of days it would only overheat when left to idle. Going down the road it would always stay within a normal range of operation.
Changing the thermostat got rid of the overheating in summer problem but it created a new problem of discomfort in winter. The new thermostat was set to the factory recommended 170 degrees. Problem is that that doesn’t allow the car to get really warm in the winter. As days start to cool down, it’s reflected in the operating temperature of the engine until I get to the point that the temperature needle never gets above cold and cabin temperature remains just cold.
I’m tempted to get a NAPA 195 degree thermostat, but I have my reservations about deviating from the manufacturer deemed was the best thing. 170 degrees just seems too cold for winter, but would 195 be too hot for summer. I don’t want to be swapping thermostats back and fourth all the time. Is it more likely that my 170 degree thermostat is never closing.
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The rule here is don’t mess with engine temp. So many engine operations are controlled by temperature. If you change the operating temperature, you change everything about the operation of the engine.
That said, I believe the factory thermostat is 180º. That’s what I recommend you put in. I also recommend an OE thermostat over an aftermarket one.
As for the overheat, thermostats rarely cause that on those vehicles in my experience. The most common cause of cooling system issues is air in the system. I believe that’s what your dealing with. I cover this in detail here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
I also cover these issues here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problems
Good luck and keep us posted.
The final result of the thermostat change, (Honda thermostat with Honda gasket, and Honda Antifreeze)is a luxury that I’ve never experienced in my cars; Fast and enduring heat. My engine thermometer stays planted half way between cold and hot after a couple miles driving and I have wonderfully hot heat. I’ve noticed a gas mileage bump as well. The weather hasn’t been too cold yet but it’s obvious that the temperature is being regulated more regularly than it was before.
The OEM Thermostat had a slightly different shape than the Orielly thermostat, but perhaps most importantly I realized that the thermostat had to be turned just so, so it would seat and settle in perhaps 1/2 a millimeter better than it would in any other position in block.
My assessment of everything. The first thermostat failed half open, half closed. Hence the overheating at idle only, with improved circulation and lower temperatures at higher RPMS’s. The next thermostat was both or either inexact in construction and fit and improperly installed. It wasn’t as bad as no thermostat but allowed so much flow by that on cold days the engine never heated up, or lost heat when the heater was used. This thermostat… Perfect!
Thanks to everyone for all of the help!
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