Magnum SRT-8 V8-6.1L VIN 3 (2006)
Thermostat: Description and Operation
ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT
DESCRIPTION
The engine cooling thermostats are a wax pellet driven, reverse poppet choke type. The thermostats have an air bleed located in the thermostat flange.
The air bleed allows internal trapped air during cooling system filling to be released. The thermostat on the 2.7L and 3.5L engines are located on the
lower left side of engine, near the front. The thermostat on both engines are on the inlet side of the water pump.
The thermostat on the 5.7L/6.1L gas powered engine is located beneath the thermostat housing (1) at the front of the intake manifold.
OPERATION
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.
The thermostat is operated by a wax filled container (pellet) which is sealed. When heated coolant reaches a predetermined temperature, the wax
expands enough to overcome the closing spring and water pump pressure, which forces the valve to open.
