Ok guys. When its cold out my engine heat up very slowly but if idling or sitting at a light or driving slow it will heat up to 195 and stay there but as soon as I get on it or get cruising at 70 on the highway the temp gauge drops off and I get luke warm air.
Replaced the thermostat today with a new 185 tstat from autozone it was there nicer fail safe one. The car operates the exact same way. Once the engine warms up if the car is left idling it blows hot air and the car never overheats.
IDK what the problem could be. A few years ago the OE tstat was replaced by a mechanic because the car was overheating.
Please help, im ready to put some cardboard infront of the radiatior
Make sure your fan is coming on!
owner of 2002 ls sport cavalier and 2007 cobalt ss
185 is too low. you want a 195, and get it from the dealer. the springs in stant thermos aren't strong enough due to how close in proximity they are to the water pump.
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For a 2.2 OHV, the correct thermostat is 180-185. I bought a new one from the dealer and it was that temperature. The old one was the exact same temperature. And I have the same problem as Greg. I am suspecting the temperature sensor on mine since the heater is working OK.
if the temp gauge is reading low but the heater works, then yes. its the sensor. however, if the heat doesnt work very well or at all, then it most likely the stat.
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my understanding is 180 is the proper tstat
my temp gauge reads correctly because when the motor does get hot as shown on temp gauge i get hot air.
is this true that i need a gm tstat because of a stronger spring???
ive always gone by the rule that OEM parts are best for basic repairs.
Silly ricer, useless wings are for penguins.
A 1993 cav 2.2 has an oem 195 deg F thermostat---1993 shop manual.
Different engines 2.4 etc have other temp thermostats, I believe
The book says, roughly, If you can remove the radiator cap and allow the car to warm up until the thermostat opens, observing the sudden movement of coolant through the rad----the thermostat is working correctly and any problems are not due to the thermostat.
I think you have air in the system, but that's just my take.
Alont
Ok im just now reading that link in a few minutes
There is no air in the system this has been an ongoing problem through 2 diff tstats that do the same thing. At low speeds or idle the car will reach 195 degrees and stay there, hell it stays there all summer long.
Its only when its cold out in the winter and the motor is spinning at highrpm
went and bought an OEM tstat from the chevy dealer today
dealer confirmed OE for a 97 2.2L is 180 deg
the spring is much heavier looking then the aftermarket ones i have tried, ive tried multiple. problem is fixed
Great that it's fixed.
Thanks for posting the solution, it always helps others.
Alont
