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Topic: Thermostat, worth replacing ? (Read 896 times) |
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
 
Posts: 100
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Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« on: Apr 15th, 2006, 6:52pm » |
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The temp guage is taking 8-10 miles to reach optimum position ( although warm air is aplenty after 1 mile, strange ) indicating that the thermostat has stuck open.
After a tentative attempt at undoing the three housing bolts , and mindful of other poster's broken bolt calumnies, I'm afeart to force them should they snap.
Should I persist or leave well alone ?
What are the disadvantages of a stuck open stat?
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craig
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #1 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 6:58pm » |
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could also be the temperature sensor needs replacing,if the heater is working ok in the car,and it appears to be running at normal temp,could well be your problem....
what engine is it on?
the reason for asing is that the gauge on my 2.3 did exactly the same,replaced the thermostat,and had no effect,replaced the sensor for the gauge (not the one for the engine managment),and all is well now,gauge goes up to half way within a few minutes..
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Mickey_2.9
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Up and running again ! Love it !
Posts: 156
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #2 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 7:32pm » |
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on Apr 15th, 2006, 6:52pm, mr._floppy wrote: The temp guage is taking 8-10 miles to reach optimum position ( although warm air is aplenty after 1 mile, strange ) indicating that the thermostat has stuck open.
After a tentative attempt at undoing the three housing bolts , and mindful of other poster's broken bolt calumnies, I'm afeart to force them should they snap.
Should I persist or leave well alone ?
What are the disadvantages of a stuck open stat? |
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If you are changing the thermostat run the engine up to normal working temp first. Then try to undo the bolts but only 1/2 - 3/4 a turn each one to start with just to get them moving, DO NOT UNDO MORE UNTILL ENGINE IS COOLER TO AVOID BEING SCOLDED WITH HOT COOLANT. Then when the engine is cooler try removing the bolts. The ally housing will exspand more than the steel bolts when hot and hopefully allow the bolts to undo without shearing off. The other way is to locally apply heat to the stat houseing using a electric heat gun but be carefull not to melt any wiring. when you get the bolts out give them a good clean with a wire brush or some emery cloth and refit with some grease or copper slip on the shank and threads. Clean out the holes as well.
Runing with a stat that is stuck open will make the engine run rich, the most noticeable thing is the mpg will drop.
Hope this helps
Mike.
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #3 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 8:37pm » |
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In reply to Craig, I replaced the temp sender as it was not working at all , it works fine now as do the cooling fans but, as I say, it takes a few miles before any guage movement takes place.
Thing is, the housing bolts are only 10mm and rusty and will "round" as soon as you look at the b****rs. 
I shall try Mickey's advice ( I don't know about applying heat to the stat housing , ain't it plastic ?  )
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Mickey_2.9
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #4 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 9:06pm » |
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opps sorry mate what engine you got?
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #5 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 9:18pm » |
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A '96 2.0 litre 16V
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Mickey_2.9
Full Member
Up and running again ! Love it !
Posts: 156
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #6 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 10:29pm » |
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Guilty of typing reply without thinking I still think it would be a good Idea to try undoing the bolts with the engine hot but dont use a heat gut if the housing is plastic. Mines a 2.9 12valve and made of old school ally!
Hope you sort it mate.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
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Re: Thermostat, worth replacing ?
« Reply #7 on: Apr 15th, 2006, 11:08pm » |
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Another way of getting the bolts off without rounding them is to actually tighten them up very slightly (so breaking the rust), & then undo them. Or you could try 'Gunk-liquid wrench', it comes in a spray can with tube.
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