anyone try a 180 degree TStat in a 2014/15 PW?

[Txpowerwagon]

Anyone know if they make a 180 for the 6.4? Want to run the engine cooler.. can't stand seeing it at 215 in traffic

[Will]

Not good because that's too cold to keep water vapor and other deposits out of the crank case. 215 is damn near perfect in my mind, anywhere between that at 230 is optimum. As long as you're not running 275 or more you're fine.

[nts007]

I know with the diesels the 190 was put in for the 6.7 for the egr and dpf systems. The 5.9s work with 180s no problem. I was going to change mine to a 180 but after reading about engine efficiency and keeping the block in a uniform temp I didn't think it would be a good idea to change it. And yea as long as it's not spiking to 270° it's all good. I don't know of any upgrade quality gained by the tstat being open a little earlier. You will still see temps as high as you already get in hot weather.

[coder]

Not sure about the 4G PW's but the 3G's came with a cooler 195 thermostat because of the severe duty cooling package same as the plow package. They did this to compensate for prolonged off road use in 4LOW. I'm sure the 4G are similar so I don't know that you will gain much by adding 180 thermostat.

[Ducky's Dad]

If you are seeing 215 in traffic, you may have other issues. My 3G tstat is stock, and my gauge pod shows consistent 206-207 in desert summer temps while cruising, never above 210 even while crawling. Just got back from AZ where it was real hot, no issues even with a big OBA and small tool box blocking air flow to the radiators. A lower temp tstat will allow the stat to open sooner but will not affect the max temps you are seeing, except on short drives and that is probably irrelevant to you.

If you want to run the engine cooler, you could try a larger oil cooler or add an aux electric fan switched from the dash. I have one on the right side in front of the trans oil cooler and it drops trans temps about 10 degrees when I switch it on at low speeds.

[Will]

I watched mine on the way home, 85* outside, water stayed around 195 and oil varied 185-195 (2010) I suppose it has a 195 stat factory. Seemed like I remembered it being higher. Either way, 217 is not out of the range for the oil. It's actually good for it. Above boiling to remove any condensation in the case. I do have the HD towing package also.

[Txpowerwagon]

I ran a 180 in my 2010 PW for 35K miles and tested the oil numerous times and not once did it ever have any water in it... heat soak kills HP... when I tow, truck will hit 230... and oil at 225.... heat kills...
I also would never see over 185-190 when I ran the 180 in my 10.

The thermostat is alot bigger (diameter wise) than the diesels or the 5.7 Hemi... I'll try once I find one and report numbers hwy, city, and towing, as well as oil analysis after 7500 miles with a 180.

[Snowsled]

I checked mine today on my way to work. I was on a long downgrade, ~60 mph, eco light on 42* F and I saw 212-219 under basically no load with tons of cool airflow. Nothing wrong with 215 in traffic, that is about where mine runs off road too. I never see any fluctuation, the system has plenty of reserve capacity. Now on my way back up the hill it was running 190-195 for a short time... I just don't worry about it.

[nts007]

You could have a fan clutch issue. But if you're sitting in town on a hot asphalt surface in stop and go traffic with practically no airflow through the rad you will get warm. That said the fan needs to be working and able to draw the best it can. Obviously your cooling system is working because it's well within the allowed temp. It won't matter if you have a 180 or a 190 or a 195 tstat. If you're reading 200-215° the stat is wide open. It won't make a difference what temp it opens at. Opening at 180 won't stop the temp from running past 200. Hot is hot.

[Txpowerwagon]

I disagree... I've ran 180 TSTAT in all my 5.9 and in two of my deleted 6.7 cummins...and in my 5.7 PW consistently ran 181-183 hwy and never over 200 towing... stock TStat was a 204 degree and it would run at 206 and 215 towing... so I know a 180 will keep the truck at that temp while driving... there are post all over the SRT forums with the same experiences with a 180 TStat. The 204 degree does not start to open until it gets to 204, then it opens and regulates the flow to keep the avg temp in the 204 range... 180 will keep the engine operating in that range. I did not see any adverse fuel milage moving to the 180 either...

[Ducky's Dad]

180 will keep the engine operating in that range.

Not necessarily. If conditions drive the temps above 180, the tstat will just stay open. It will only close when temps drop below 180. If you are in the hot parts of Texas, changing the tstat won't make much difference in the summer.

[nts007]

The srt models fuel much differently than the truck models. I have a deleted 6.7 tstat is 190. On highway I see in summer <-- 195-198 constant. As soon as I come to a light it goes to 201. If the ac is on its about 207-210. Start back on the highway and it cools. Off. It seems you need to upgrade your rad if you really want those numbers. Maybe this is a dumb question now buy why would you compare a power wagon to a srt model. They are worlds apart. Add an oil cooler. Change to a semi truck antifreeze mix. But chasing the srt's with their piston oil squirters and other features you don't have. Then comparing into a truck that had way way way more drag on the highway. You should expect higher operating temps. You use far more power and fuel at cruise thus more engine heat. Your engine is cooling itself. It's designed to run with a 190 stat for egr and emissions. Really what are you asking? Can you swap in a 180? Well you know that answer. But if you have warranty still I wouldn't. Is it worth it for the 0.5% power gain on a 90° day for that odd time you tow (if you have cummins idk why this is an issue). Hell if you want a 5.7 hemi so you can have cooler temps I have one sitting here in my yard.
Alright I'm done being a dick.
If your truck is seriously operating out of spec I would take it to the dealer while you have warranty. Make them swap in a new 190. See if that changes anything. If it doesn't, see if they will put in a 180. That way if anything happens it's on them not you. With the new 4.10 ratios it has to work harder than it did with 4.56's so that may be the effect you see. Especially if you are not running stock size anymore. I don't know what you have. Also manually select a lower gear in traffic so your engine isn't lugging if that's possible. Higher rpm will increase cooling vs lower in the same conditions.
My outdoor temp swings from 90 above to -50 summer to winter. My temps stay within 195-215 pretty much all the time. Unless I'm working it really hard. It always rises when I get in town. Same with tranny temp.

[Snowsled]

Actually... The6.4 in the '14/15 trucks does have an integrated oil cooler and it does have piston oil squirters and computer optimized coolant flow. In addition it has EGR cooling the SRT doesn't have to keep combustion temps down on long pulls. Changing the t-stat is not going to make the truck run better, in fact it is probably detrimental to the emissions system which needs the temps to operate correctly.

There is NOTHING wrong with the truck running 215. Mine does it all the time, regardless of conditions. Trying to outsmart the the guys who designed to the truck is foolish at best IMO.



^^^There it is... 58 mph, 43 degrees F ambient temp, rolling downhill in eco mode, 213 degrees. How can you think it is too hot? Seems like if you are running the same temp in high heat, no airflow conditions, that the cooling system is doing an EXCELLENT job!

[nts007]

Actually... The6.4 in the '14/15 trucks does have an integrated oil cooler and it does have piston oil squirters and computer optimized coolant

That ^^^ is awesome. I had a 07 srt8 charger. The fact that they actually are using those upgrades now is awesome. Will improve the lifespan of the vehicle while allowing it to work harder longer and more efficiently.

but as far as operating temps. This seems within spec. If it was running too hot I'm sure the computer would be on your ass about it. I do know that due to the egr system the temp must run a 190 thermostat. That's been the case since dodge went to meet 2010 emission standards. (For the diesel). The egr cooler really puts a lot of heat into the system. Mine doesn't exist anymore. But I don't see how a 10° thermostat change is going to magically make my truck better. Wether it's open at 180 or 190 it doesn't matter when the coolant is 200°. Open is open.

[nts007]

But do it if you plan to. And let us know how it goes! Cause if you're right your right and I'm out in left field.

[loveracing1988]

Actually... The6.4 in the '14/15 trucks does have an integrated oil cooler and it does have piston oil squirters and computer optimized coolant flow. In addition it has EGR cooling the SRT doesn't have to keep combustion temps down on long pulls. Changing the t-stat is not going to make the truck run better, in fact it is probably detrimental to the emissions system which needs the temps to operate correctly.

There is NOTHING wrong with the truck running 215. Mine does it all the time, regardless of conditions. Trying to outsmart the the guys who designed to the truck is foolish at best IMO.



^^^There it is... 58 mph, 43 degrees F ambient temp, rolling downhill in eco mode, 213 degrees. How can you think it is too hot? Seems like if you are running the same temp in high heat, no airflow conditions, that the cooling system is doing an EXCELLENT job!

Off topic but how did you enable the eco mode display in the cluster?

[Will]

Hauled a 4000# tractor today for 2 hours nonstop, 90F outside, coolant stayed at 199 oil stayed at 201, tranny stayed at 145. When I mentioned water in oil, I'm talking on a micro level, anything will condensate when the dewpoint gets right. It's not too hot.

[Jnallison]

I could be wrong but I do believe the 6.4 has an engine driven fan and a electric fan already.

[nts007]

Electric fan for my 06 was for the ac condenser. Engine driven fan was for cooling. It may be similar on the 6.4 but I haven't seen one up close.