Thermostat Replacement

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:29 pm

My car is running cool. After a 10 minute 55mph trip I only got to about 140 or so. This, from what I've been told (I think it was Mark) could mean the T-stat is stuck open. I did some searching online, I guess it looks like there are some negatives that can happen (like poor performance) but I didn't read about any major damage from driving it like that. Am I ok until I get a replacement, or should I not drive it (assuming I can get it running again anyway: Read my other recent posts)?

Also, I'm seeing a big range in tstat prices (26 shipping to 60ish+s/h). Also, seeing several mentions of 176 degree, 180 and 192 degree (that's AutoZone)

What do I need???

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:16 pm

It shouldn't hurt anything if it's stuck open. Do you have an in-head t-stat or an external one? I think there is only a 180 available in the external type.

s990wg3 · Post by **s990wg3** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:36 pm

Car was always running cool, temp fluctuating up and down depending on speed, outside temp etc.

I put a new thermostat and now the car warms up fast and stays at 180 degrees no matter what.

After I pulled the old one off you could see it stuck open.

I got my new one from International Auto, came in 2 days and works great.

http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=853102

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:38 pm

originally there were two external stats available, but not anymore. Long term effects without a stat are increased engine wear since the oil may not get hot enough to boil out any moisture or other bad chemicals that have accumulated

DMECMAnderson · Post by **DMECMAnderson** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:34 pm

Swapped my thermostat with one from IAP. Hold temp perfect "at 12" on the temp guage. Be careful that you have good pick-ups. My thermo switch unit was bad and needed to be replaced.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:40 am

I have witnessed this year a t-stat installed wrong. the new owner was ready to buy a new t-stat because of overheating issues. is it possible that an improper t-stat could cause the opposite affect as well?

just a thought.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:03 pm

hey, reading through many threads, and something Manoa Matt said, got me to thinking about air in my system. I'll need to check it out, but could air up in there cause this problem? Maybe I didn't get the air bled out well enough?

DMECMAnderson · Post by **DMECMAnderson** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:07 pm

There is a good procedure defined in the IAP shop manual for properly bleeding out the air in the coolant. Disconnect the hose from the Temp Regulator to the front of the engine, fill until water runs out of the front of engine. Reconnect hose. Remove plug, (looks like brass in my car) in the front, fill, remove throttle body heater hose, fill until runs out of throttle body heater.

Do you need me to scan the pages from the manual?

DMECMAnderson · Post by **DMECMAnderson** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:09 pm

Forgot to add... When I didn't blead the air properly the temp runs too hot not too cold. This is probably because of an air bubble in the pump... The manual indicates the same type of problem.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:09 am

thanks dave, I have the manual, just haven't taken the time to sit down with it for this problem yet.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:46 am

OK, checked it out, I'm sure all air is out. I didn't get much air out, it was pretty good. It's got to be stuck (open) thermostat. I found one really cheap on an ebay store I guess I'll get ahold of that soon.

Thermostat Replacement

Thermostat Replacement

I had same problem with my 76 spider