maybe its just from the summer heat, which isnt that great since I live in MD, but my car seems to running way to hot.

one thing i heard is that a hot engine destroys power in a 3.8l v6 and I need all I can get.

usually cruising im around 205, just under the 210 line....and if im stopped in traffic ill be at about a little over the 210 line.

i have a 2000 so I believe I should have a stock 180 thermo...so shouldn't I be running at 180??

thanx for the help

 

Doubt it's heat from the summer, I live in GA and we've been seeing it get as hot as 102 - F on a daily basis (provided it's not raining). My temp needle still stays around 180 or just below it while cruising, and barely rises from that when stopped.

Check your coolant, are you low? are your fans kicking in? Your thermo maybee going. How long has it done this?

 

well I just got the car about a month and a half ago used with 60k miles on it.

i never really payed attention to it till I heard hot engines kill performance in a v6, so for the past week ive been keeping my eye on it and i deffinetly am no where near 180 while cruising. My collant is full, I checked that, i duno if my fans are kicking in, how can I check that? And my thermo maybe gonig up, how could I check that??

 

Check the resivior too, Also check your oil/tranny fluid. It's best to just replace the thermo's... They're only a measly $5 from Autozone or Advanced. If you take it out and put it back in, you might warp the seals and it will never fit in right again. As for the fans, you should beable to hear them clearly from the car... especially at 205/210. If not, leave the engine running while it's at 210 and pop the hood and see if you can hear a humming sound from directly infront of the engine. If not then your fans probably not working.