Thermostat change??

[redmaestro]

Hi all,

My 2L EFi is still running as sweetly as ever. I have some time off work next week and been thinking about changing the thermostat. I think it is the cooler one fitted - and the temp is 1/4 on the gauge when its upto running temp. The hot air from the heaters is warm at best.

Is it worth fitting a hotter thermo? I'm sure I read somewhere that the Halfrauds run at 88 degree's C or (2/4 on the gauge).

Any advice is appreciated as ever.

RedM :laugh:

PS - A silly question i'm sure - but will I need a gasket sealant if I do replace it??

[Wetfish]

I'd look at the sender unit at the back of the thermostat housing first, clean the contacts and see if the gauge reading changes or change the unit for a new one. I think Halfords sell the unit, thermostat with a gasket in the box(?) but your main problem might be the two bolts holding the housing down. If they haven't been unbolted recently they might be seized, be careful they don't shear.
As for the heater output, you might want to adjust the control rods behind the dashboard, stick your head in the drivers footwell and point a torch whilst moving the controls to see if they have slipped. If they have you might just be getting half-heat.

[redmaestro]

Thanks for the tip! I changed the sender unit about 7months ago. The car had a nasty judder on acceleration, so I changed the sender unit to eliminate the problem. (The cause was a leaking air pipe).

Anyway, the temp has always been 1/4 at running. The car is running well, I'm just seeing if its worth changing to gain more heat from the heater. Or shall I leave it alone?

[Rich]

Changing the thermostat will more than likely cure the problem, but while its apart, flush the system throughly, especially the heater matrix and radiator. Its amazing how much brown crud can accumualte in the cores.

An 88 degree stat is available, and not just from Halfrauds, the temparture of the stat is stamped on the copper part on the underside of the stat. It may be that you have a 68 degree stat in there, but just as likely it could be sticking open. The kit should come with the gaskets, just make sure all the old gasket is removed and I usually apply a smear of sealent, or grease to the gaskets before putting back together. The temp gauge should sit just under half when warmed up.

Rich