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Newbie needs help checking the thermostat! 

 

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 Post subject: Newbie needs help checking the thermostat!
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:04 am 
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Hey there,

I have just bought an EF Fairmont Ghia 4.0ltr and during my driving so far, the temp gauge does not make it to the normal area of the gauge. Is this normal for this car?

Is it possible to check if there is a thermostat installed without removing the housing?

Thanks for helping out a newbie!!!

 

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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:13 am 
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when you start it and its cold, you shouldnt see any water moving in the coolant resivour until the thermo opens (~10mins). if you do then theres no thermostat in there.

my temp sits on the line underneath the L, and dosent even get there on a cold day. dont be worried about how low it is, youll know about it if its too hot!

good luck

 

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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:36 am 
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It's only 2x 10mm bolts to do the thermostat.. worth having a look. It sounds like there isnt one installed, its busted, or someone has cut out the guts.

In any case, inspect and replace :)

 

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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:21 am 
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undo the bolts & have a look
you want to have a thermostat installed
running too cold increases engine wear, as oil needs to get to temp before all it's lubricating qualities are exhibited

 

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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:40 pm 
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Could take longer in winter.

Mine took 30 minutes the other day to drop.
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:50 pm 
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they are cheap enough to just take the housing off, chuck a new one in regardless of what is or isnt in there atm and put it back together.

20 mins later your all done and should be right

 

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 Post subject: All Fixed - thanks everyone
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:13 pm 
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I replaced the thermostat (and the housing while I was at it - cost less than $50 all up) and could not beilieve the crap that was in there!

Anyway, the thermo gauge sits right on the A of normal and the heater is working perfectly. Celarly the thermostat was stuffed somehow.

I flushed the system while I was at it and could not believe all the crap that was in there. I'm starting to wonder how long since it was serviced before I bought the bloody thing.

Thanks again.

 

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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:09 pm 
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Make sure you fill up the block before putting the thermostat in.

I didn't do this and may have blown a head gasket
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:17 pm 
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?

 

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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:22 pm 
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???

1. Before putting in new thermostat fill the engine up with coolant through the thermostat housing, when it's at the top put the new thermostat in.
2. Then fill it up through surge tank.

If you just put the thermostat in and fill from the surge tank the thermostat will block it since the water won't be 91 degrees. Meaning the head will be bone dry and just be full of air.

When the air finally heats up unheated cold water pours onto the head destroying the gasket.

Which I think is what happened to me, unsure yet
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:30 pm 
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yeh i'm leaving that alone.

yet, I agree somewhat to the trapped air.

 

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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:59 pm 
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You can put the thermostat and everything together and fill up from the surge tank - the block will still fill - by virtue of the water flow exiting the thermostat and coming in through the water pump inlet.

Vapour locks can be persistant and annoying - here's what I learn't to fill your cooling system properly (works every time):

-Half fill the system with coolant mix, heater on full heat,
-Run engine at 1500-2000 RPM (a cable tie between the throttle and idle screw is handy for this)
-Leave cap off, very slowly add coolant mix till overflow fills up
-keep running til engine temp increases (about 15-20 mins), top up if needed, put cap on.

You can check for correct coolant concentration using test strips, e.g. castrol - don't rely solely on the coolant container directions.

 

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