Mark

OK...OK...OK - when I last posted about my non-cooling problem (she ran TOO cool) - I generated DOZENS of posts <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> about thermostat operation....THIS IS NOT ABOUT THAT!

As discussed in my previous post, my car was running VERY cool...barely above the first mark on the temp gauge.

WELL - Today - she started to overheat! So I decided to replace the thermostat. I pulled the cover and guess what....NO THERMOSTAT! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Instead - the PO had installed an 'expandable plug' in the seat. The plug worked itself loose, and this is evidently what caused the heating problem...it was laying in the housing. WHASSUP WITH THIS!?!?!?

So - I go to install the stat...but there is missing (I think) a seat for the stat to sit in...I couldn't find it in the PET or the manual...any suggestions? The stat has no way to go in there and stay...help please! <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

Whattaya think about this 'plug'?

Mark

OH...I have pics that I tried to upload...but the upload server tells me I'm not a member....hmmm.

ADMIN - Can you help me out??

V-Fib

Go here, and upload. Are entering your membership # or your user #?
<a href="http://www.momentoffame.com/" target="_blank">http://www.momentoffame.com/</a>

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

Mark

Link to the housing: <a href="http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=31082" target="_blank">http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=31082</a>

link to pic of the plug removed: <a href="http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=31083" target="_blank">http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=31083</a>

Rufus Sanders

That's crazy. How was that plug installed? I don't see how it could do anything but cause an overheat situation. As for the seal, I'm not sure but I think your year has TWO o-rings. One small one that goes in "first", and a large one that goes in "last" so to speak. The t-stat goes between them.

Devek describes the way it works in thier catalog, and you can order both o-rings and a new t-stat from them as part of a cooling upgrade kit. Wonder waht else the PO did...- Ruf

Bernie

(as spoken by Ozzy)
That plug is freakin' me out man!!!!!!
File that under "what the f**k"?????
Kinda like my oilcheck valve mystery.
Sorry, I can't answer your question but I am just sitting here with my mouth agape......

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Mark

The plug fit into the seat inside the thermo housing and by turning the nut, it expanded to fit. In other words - it simulated a CLOSED thermostat at all times!!!

Bernie

Doesn't it give you a warm fuzzy feeling when you find crap like that??
I found a barrel full of laughable repairs on my car and I felt very satisfied after I fixed each and every one.

Mark

Here's what is baffling about the whole thing...(AND - NOT TRYING TO START YET ANOTHER LONG LIST OF REPLIES ON THERMOSTAT THEORY LIKE THE LAST TIME!!!)

1 - Plug in....simulates an 'always closed' thermostat - car runs VERY cool....

2 - Plug out....simulates an 'always open' thermostat - car overheats....

Am I missing the logic on this?

jpitman2

I am sure Wally will come in, but plug out (no thermo) means the water doesnt circulate through the block, and therefore it overheats.
Plug in, and it runs cool defeats me completely..
jp 83

Tony

WOW! thats a first!

Throw a propper Tstat in and your problems will be solved im sure.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

KBlair

OK Mark, which opening did he have plugged? The smaller inner opening or the larger out opening where the T-sata goes?

If the inner opening was plugged then that's the same as the T-stat being open all the time, coolant flow through the rad at all times (assuming the 32v engines work like my 16v)

ViribusUnits

I had a hanndle on it, but after looking at the diagram, and how it looks on my car, I'm lost again.

Sorry, no help from me. Check back at a later date.

Erik - Denmark

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Mark:
<strong>
1 - Plug in....simulates an 'always closed' thermostat - car runs VERY cool....

2 - Plug out....simulates an 'always open' thermostat - car overheats....

Am I missing the logic on this?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Mark
The logic is good enough
1. When the thermostat is cold and closed the cooling water is circulating in the block (your item 2)
2. When the thermostat is hot, it open and when the thermostat is open it close the internal circulation and force the cooling water from the block to go via the radiator back to the block
(Your item 2)
Remember on your 1985 model you have a seat rubber gasket (not a O-ring but a special circular ring to be pressed into the seat behind the thermostat
This started with the 1984 (S2 model)to prevent overheating due to corrosion in the alu-seat
<img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Ell

Erik,
You are all over this cooling system, I have read several of your post and nobody explains it as good as you. Thumbs up to you.

Mark,
The inner seal that Erik is talking about is black, fits into the about a half inch into the hole and has a lip in the outside of the hole. I fits in very tight. The only way that I was able to get mine out was to pry the lip up and pull it out with needle nose pliers.

Ell