thermostat

[whit]

does anyone know anything about thermostats? my runner is over heating and it just started to leak cooling fluid. it made a mess and i think it might have got into my air filter cause I was blowing out lots of nasty exhaust and it started running like crap. it also stalls every time I idle. thats when i lifted the hood and noticed the leak. it might just be my cap but i took out the fan clutch and removed the thermostat and found that the fan clutch (in my uneducated opinion) looks fine but the thormostat gasket is wrotted. is there any reason i should replace the thermostat? or should i just get a new gasket? should i replace any of my hoses? is there anything else you guys can think of that is causing the leak and overheating? is it worth it to put in a new fan clutch? how do I know if its bad?

[wa4x4]

I dont know if I have something similar but my truck used to take forever to warm up, then it sat for about a month, and I just went outside and started it and I could just watch the temp. gauge climb. What's goin on?

[retardedspleen]

What engine are you running?

I dont think the fan clutch has anything to do with the t-stat(infact im almost 100% sure of that) . replace your t-stat. check your oil make sure theres no coolant in the oil. if its really foamy or if the oil reads REALLY high then you may have a blown head gasket. check your hoses, if they look fine, leave them. cooling is pretty simple for the most part. check/replace things cheapest to most exspensive


t-stat is like 5 bucks replace it. do not re-use it (i would recomend getting not the cheapest t-stat...it may be 10-15 bucks more...but its worth it. trust me!)
water pump - off the internet its like 30 bucks, from a kragen or autoparts store its like 45-60 bucks

radiator if it has cracks and whatnot in it, then replace it. unless its minor and can be repaired.

do all of these, assuming your oil is fine and thers no coolant in it.

DONT let it over heat tooo much. otherwise you are killing your engine.

[KToy]

what spleen said... thermostat with good gasket maker.

water pump..

radiator...

fan clutch i doubt has an issue with it....

also check your belts make sure they are fine while your in there taking stuff off and on.


if your blowing smoke you most likely have a bad head gasket or something is up with your motor... but i wouldnt start it up if i were you unitl you check the cooling and the oil.

[whit]

I bought a new thermostat ($5) and a new gasget kit which i will be putting on tomorrow probably, as well as a new timing chain (for the heck of it). I still dont know if I'll put on the new fan clutch. I was told to boil it and then try and turn it. he said if its still good then it shouldn't really give any. I was also told to boil my t-stat before i put it in too. I assume this is right? any more suggestions? thanks for the help guys :Rockonman

[illiand]

the boiling is to verify that they are working correctly (the fan clutch and t-stat are temp sensitive) so you dont have to tear everything apart again because you got a defective part.

[KToy]

if your t stat doesnt already have a pin size hole in the side of it going top to bottom them drill one for it. just a small hole in the caseing of it so that when you start your motor it lets antifreeze through the small hole at all times... i did this and my motor runs colder and warms up faster.

[keyice]

Okay here we go the t sat when you boil it make sure you use a thermometer so you can verify at what temp it opens. Most toys have a 165-195 I usaully use the 185. Drill an 1/8 hole in it before you install or it will be a real pain in the ass to bleed it. I don't even use gaskets on them anymore. The 22re usually has a rubber seal that goes around the t-sat make sure you put that on works like a spacer to insure it doesn't leak. As for gasket material us Ultra Blue, haven't has a leak with it yet.

For the guy whos truck takes forever to warm up check your thermal valve for the heater core, those things get pretty gummed up and don't close all the time. Also you probally need to change your themstat as well might be stuck open.

Clutch fan -- if it is still on the truck get the truck up to ops temp turn the engine off and try and spin it the either are on or off. If you already have it off then just put it in hot water and get it up to about 180 take it out and if it spins then it is toast.

Water pump-- if it isn't leaking don't change it. There is a weep hole on the bottom, when the seals go it will start leaking out of this hole. If it leaks into the pump bearing it will start to wear and get slop in it, usaully makes noise.

Radiator-- if you change the have verified the t-sat is good them you probally need to change your radiator if you fan clutch is working properly. Also the easies way to find a lead is to get to chevy freeze plugs, the rubber ones you tighten to seal put those in the inlet and out let and get a universal radiator cap adapter with an air fitting put about 20 psi to it and then soap and water it. You can also do that in the truck if you buy the adapter. I will find all your leaks pretty fast. You can buy the adapter at Napa or Harbor Freight pretty cheap. :Nerd: I need a more occupying day job.