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Re: Block Heaters and Thermostats Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:27:18 In Reply to: Block Heaters and Thermostats, T. Christopher, Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:12:30 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
An 82 degree thermostat can have the engine run a little cooler. Frankly, this is more psychological than actual. The engine was designed for the 87 degree thermostat. Some folks feel it gives you a little more margin before overheating, but not really. The engine will overheat when something goes wrong, and that extra 5 degrees won't matter much - it gives you a few extra seconds. However, if you live in places where it doesn't get very cold, it can't hurt, really.
Where an 82 can hurt you is if you live where it's really cold. Like regularly below 0 degrees F. Down there, the cabin heater is competing with the radiator, so the stock thermostat will give you better heat in really cold conditions.
Block heaters are good where it gets really cold - again, really cold is below 0 F. Yes, in LA really cold is 50 F, so it's important to specify absolute temps. It will allow the engine to start a little easier, but the best bet is synthetic oil. I've not installed one (it just doesn't get cold enough in Connecticut), but one option might be the type that goes into the dipstick.
I know you're in Alaska, but where? Some places get cold, but again, not that cold. Some places get really, really cold.
posted by 76.227.247...
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