Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Thermostat, Engine Cooling

The engine cooling thermostat is a wax pellet driven, reverse poppet choke type. The thermostat is designed to provide the fastest warm up possible by preventing leakage through it and to guarantee a minimum engine operating temperature of 88 to 93� C (192 to 199� F). The thermostat also will automatically reach wide open so it will not restrict flow to the radiator as temperature of the coolant rises in hot weather to around 104� C (220� F). Above this temperature the coolant temperature is controlled by the radiator, fan, and ambient temperature, not the thermostat.