Thermostat stuck open??
07-20-2006, 05:13 AM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Thermostat stuck open??
How bad would it be if the thermostat is stuck open?
How do you test this? My temp guage reads cold back where it used to when everything was smooth. Now I'm super paranoid that either I screwed up the stat install or it's just a bad stat. It's a 180.
The reason I ask is because it takes FOR EVER to run up to the 2nd line under center, then it sticks there no matter how hard I push it.
Plus, today on the way home from work, it felt really good for about 15 minutes after startup, then power sank down a little bit. Maybe the block was overheating but the stat was stuck open so the water can't soak up the heat properly.
How do you test this? My temp guage reads cold back where it used to when everything was smooth. Now I'm super paranoid that either I screwed up the stat install or it's just a bad stat. It's a 180.
The reason I ask is because it takes FOR EVER to run up to the 2nd line under center, then it sticks there no matter how hard I push it.
Plus, today on the way home from work, it felt really good for about 15 minutes after startup, then power sank down a little bit. Maybe the block was overheating but the stat was stuck open so the water can't soak up the heat properly.
07-20-2006, 03:05 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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RE: Maybe I'm just nuts, but...
I believe if the stat was stuck open, you would end up running very rich (car never gets to open loop/closed loop i always get them confused.) Also, are you using the stock gauge or an aftermarket one?
07-20-2006, 03:20 PM
#5
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RE: Maybe I'm just nuts, but...
I know the stocker is innacurate, that's the only one I have for now tho.
What is a telltale sign of running rich? I don't see any black smoke visible from the tailpipes, but I do smell some excess fuel when I'm backing the car out of a space.
What is a telltale sign of running rich? I don't see any black smoke visible from the tailpipes, but I do smell some excess fuel when I'm backing the car out of a space.
07-20-2006, 03:27 PM
#6
Pro. B.S. caller outer
Join Date: May 2004
Location: IL
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RE: Maybe I'm just nuts, but...
First off a stuck open thermostate will not cause the car to stay in closed loop, the only thing that happens is that it will take longer for the car to come up to full temp. A thermostate is like a switch, it's either open or shut. When the coolant reaches a pre determined tempurature it opens, if it the collant falls below that temp it shuts, pretty simple. You don't need to worry about the coolant not staying in the block long enough to absorb heat, the thermostate acts as a restriction and slows the flow of coolant enough to allow for that. If I were you I would replace the temperature sending unit on the block and then put in a thermostat, they rarly fail but if it is acting funny. it's a cheap part to replace, plus you really don't want it to stick shut, that is a very bad thing.
07-20-2006, 03:39 PM
#7
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RE: Maybe I'm just nuts, but...
Yeah, I just replaced the stat a week ago when it was stuck closed, never overheated, but got pretty close.
Where is the sending unit? And, is the stock guage crap, or is it the sending unit that sucks? Is there a way to improve the stock guage without getting another water temp guage?
Where is the sending unit? And, is the stock guage crap, or is it the sending unit that sucks? Is there a way to improve the stock guage without getting another water temp guage?
